National Blonde Show
Standing at twelve O’clock, French bull Idefix exhibited by Paul Thomas from Berkshire took the eye of judge Alison Watt from Aberdeenshire who runs the Strathisla herd. Having won the male championship this August ’13 born bull had a busy few days going forward into the Interbreed continental pairs championship where he and his stable mate Doncombe Epona had a very well deserved reserve position before taking the reserve Interbreed award group of three when Doncombe Indika joined them with her calf at foot.
Idefix and Epona won the Farmers Weekly perpetual trophy for the Blonde breed pairs.
Doncombe Epona sired by Rodleigh Voyageur born March ‘09 won the senior cow class before winning Female champion joining Idefix in the interbreed pairs, and groups of three. Doncombe Indika also sired by Rodleigh Voyageur bred and exhibited by David and Sue Knight from Bristol born January ’13 won the junior cow class before taking the reserve female champion accolade as well as the award for the best homebred animal.
The FIERBA trophy was awarded to Samoht Labella born December ‘15 again from Paul Thomas’ Samoht herd from Berkshire sired by Cyrano. The Thomas family were delighted when Labella also lifted the junior championship awards.
The Reserve junior champion was awarded to David and Sue Knights junior bull Doncombe Muskateer born January ’16 sired by Aramis who also picked up the reserve male championship.
The Blackwater perpetual trophy for the intermediate bull class was awarded to French bull Leo born December’15 sired by Akelarre owned by Newlands Farm from Berkshire.
The Meatgold perpetual trophy for the calved heifer born on or between January and December ’14 was awarded to Meadow Jewell born January ’14 sired by Thornbury Gerrard bred and exhibited by Linda Sewell from Cambridgeshire.
Whistley Lella born April ’15 sired by French bull Diego bred and exhibited by Stephen Potter was awarded the Hillhead perpetual challenge trophy for the senior heifer class.
The maiden heifer Doncombe Madhu born January’16 sired once again by French bull Aramis from David and Sue Knight lifted the Avonparks trophy for the junior heifer class.
The junior maiden heifer class was won by Samoht Magenta born June ’16 sired by the days champion Idefix again from Paul Thomas.
The final pedigree class of the day saw Mintys Mr Bean born December‘16 bred and exhibited by Minty Mayhew from Wilktshire, sired by French bull Aramis lift her trophy for the calf class.
The commercial championship was awarded to Oxo, bred and exhibited by Paul Thomas born June’16 sired by Doncombe First Eagle.
The first day of our seventh National show was concluded with a presentation dinner whereby a feast of Blonde beef was enjoyed, beef having been provided by Stephen Potter of the Whistley herd.
We would like to thank Gerald Shearing our sponsor, our judge Alison Watt, all of the stewards and livestock committee at the Three counties showground for a fabulous show.
Our Judge, Alison Commented that she was honoured to have been asked to judge the National show and was impressed with the standard of Blondes entered, they were a credit to the breed. The champion had great structure and locomotion.
