2ND NATIONAL SHOW OF SOUTH DEVONS
Royal Norfolk Show 2011

A tremendous display of South Devon cattle from all over the country turned out to celebrate the breed in the 2nd National Show which was held this year at the Royal Norfolk Show. The two heifer classes alone each saw lines of 23 and 24 animals, a spectacle not often seen by beef breeds at any show.

Judge Hugh Lello from Hayle in Cornwall was faced with some very tough decisions, and commented afterwards that all exhibitors were to be congratulated on the quality of their stock.

Female Champion went to Mr Roger Rundle from Newquay in Cornwall, whose two year old heifer, Kestle Dahlia 60 by Lumbylaw Leo 2 and out of Kestle Dahlia 51, then went on to take Breed Champion. She also achieved success in the Interbreed classes, taking Supreme Native Champion over other native beef breeds.

Reserve Breed Champion and Male Champion was Mr Douglas Scott’s Grove Wellington 56 by Rufford SAS Dillon and out of Grove Willowherb 36. Mr Scott, from Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, was also awarded the Track Marshall Trophy for the exhibitor gaining most points in all the classes.

Best yearling heifer was Brafferton Buttercup 63, from Mr J P Harrison, who travelled south from Yorkshire to be at the Show. Best 2008 born cow or heifer was Peter & Ashley Rowe’s Trewint Jill 451, from Liskeard, Cornwall. They also had best cow born before 2008, with Trewint Jill 410. Peter’s brother, Mervyn (M R & R J Rowe), had success in the bull born before 2008 class with Tregondale Balti 7. Mr W H D Scott won the young and intermediate bull classes with Grove Antony 23 and Grove Wellington 56.

Other awards went to: Malthouse Livestock Ltd for Malthouse Myrtle 5, judged the best animal from a Norfolk based herd; R W & S M Bostelmann for Rufford SAS Jambo, judged the best bull on performance and inspection points; M E & T E Broome for Welland Valley Irene, judged best cow with calf on performance and inspection points; W P & S L Harper for Z Bedford Hilda 59, judged best polled animal; and Mr R K Rundle for best group of three exhibitor bred animals.

The Show also saw the holding of the Society’s annual Towergate Lloyd & Whyte Young Handler Competition which this year was judged by Mr Hugh Lello. Eight entrants competed for cash prizes, and were required to demonstrate their skills in preparing and showing a heifer, and in judging. The overall winner was Mr Ryan Coate from Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

To top the event, the Society received an official visit from HRH Princess Anne on the second day of the Show, who was introduced to Breed Secretary Caroline Poultney, and to President Roger Clemens, before meeting Mervyn and Stephanie Rowe with their bull Tregondale Balti 7. Mrs Poultney explained to Her Royal Highness that the Society had taken the decision to stage a National Show at a different show each year, following the demise of the Royal Show in 2009.

Concluding the Society’s official activities at the Show with the presentation of awards, Caroline Poultney thanked the Royal Norfolk Show organisers for their great welcome, and congratulated all exhibitors on the standard of their cattle and for their enthusiasm. She paid particular thanks to the sponsors of the National Show for their generosity.

Next year’s National Show will take place at the Three Counties and plans are already underway to match the success of Norfolk.