Ten-month-old Free Town Maelstrom from RA Bradstock & Partners, Tarrington, Herefordshire led the plaudits at the National Horned Hereford Show, Tenbury Wells. Over 80 quality Herefords were forward in a highly competitive event, which exuded a truly international flavour. Cattle containing genetics from all over the world including Australia, United States of America and Canada were judged by South African born PJ Budler, now living in Texas.

However, it was local breeders RA Bradstock & Partners who took most of the silverware on offer with their promising bull calf Free Town Maelstrom, who has a Terminal Sire Index and Self-replacing Index in the top 10 per cent for the breed. “Maelstrom”, who is out of Free Town Bequest and by Irish bred bull Bowmont Storm A584, also took the Junior and Grand Male Championships. There was further success for the world renowned Free Town herd when they took the Reserve Grand Female Championship with Reserve Senior Female Champion Free Town Glowing. Three year old “Glowing” is out of Free Town Gratuity and by successful sire Australian bred Mawarra Vice Admiral.

Earlier in the day, RA Bradstock & Partners also took the Best Exhibitor Bred Pair of Calves Trophy with Church Preen - AR Owen, Church Stretton, Shropshire, in second place and Dieulacresse - Messrs Spooner, Leek, Staffordshire in third position.

A marvellous day was complete for Free Town Herefords when they were presented the Dick Adams trophy for ‘Horned Hereford Herd of the Year 2015’.

Standing reserve to Free Town Maelstrom in the Junior Championship was 10-month-old Church Preen Muldoon, AR Owen. “Muldoon” is out of Church Preen Prunella H024 and by Dieulacresse Foremost.

There was another red ticket for the Church Preen herd when they were awarded the Tithebarn Perpetual Cup for the Best Group of Three – bred by the same exhibitor. Standing Reserve were Auckvale - W & R Kemp & Sons Bishop Auckland, Durham with Lowergrove - P Snell & L Ferguson, Little Horwood, Buckinghamshire in third place.

Moving on to the Intermediate section, it Auckvale Lotto 1380L from W & R Kemp & Sons who took the Championship with Haven Lamborghini, EL Lewis & Son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire in Reserve. Sixteen-month-old “Lotto 1380L” is out of Auckvale Curly 765E and by Auckvale Advance 790E. Fifteen-month-old class winner Haven Lamborghini is out Haven Splendour 25th and by 2010 Grand Male Champion Haven Cavalier.

In the Senior Male category it was another Haven bull which came to the fore, with Haven Hotspur jointly owned by PRJ & LR Vincent, Diss, Norfolk and EL Lewis & Son, taking the Senior Championship. Four-year-old “Hotspur” is out of Haven Curly 72nd and is another top progeny by the very successful Mawarra Vice Admiral.

In Reserve was five year old Dieulacresse Goodenough from Messrs Spooner, Leek, Staffordshire & R Westaway, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. “Goodenough” is out of Dieulacresse Dowager 17th and by 2009 Royal Three Counties Inter-breed Champion Westwood Advancer.

There was more success for the striking Senior Male Champion Haven Hotspur when he was judged by “PJ” as his Reserve Grand Male Champion.

Throughout a long day of judging those around the show ring were entertained by commentator Clive Davies with his wit and timely anecdotes. However, ringsiders, breeders and stockmen alike couldn’t be failed to be impressed by Judge PJ Budler’s detailed analysis of each animal in each class and the selection of his Champions. He gave a superb demonstration of judging etiquette, style and excellent commentary.

In the female section, it was Senior Female Champion Heath House Curly 3rd with her five-month-old calf at foot, Heath House Curly 5th, from R & E Lywood, Craven Arms, Shropshire who took the Grand Female Championship and with it the Sir Archer Baldwin Perpetual Cup. “Curly 3rd”, expertly shown by Mark Chandler, is out of Haven Curly 86th and is also sired by Mawarra Vice Admiral.

The was more awards for the Heath House herd when they took the Intermediate Female Championship with another Mawarra Vice Admiral daughter, Heath House Lou Lou. Seventeen-month-old “Lou Lou” is out of Haven Curly 122nd. In Reserve was 19-month-old Free Town Beverley from RA Bradstock & Partners. “Beverley” is out of Free Town Belief and by Free Town Maximus.

Completing the female section and taking the Junior Championship and the Morris Powell Memorial Trophy was 10-month-old Auckvale Peach 1443M from W & R Kemp. “Peach 1443M” is out of Auckvale Peach 964G and by herd sire Auckvale 157K Ribstone Lad 1131H. Standing Reserve was HighHedges Blossom 8-14 from National Hereford Show Club Hon. Secretary Mrs S Cowle, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Eleven-month-old “Blossom 8-14” is out of Lowergrove Blossom and by Border Burlington J35.

The National Horned Show commenced with the Breedplan Recorded Bull Class, overseen by guest Judge Boomer Birch. Taking the Westaway Cup with the highest score of 80 points – calculated from a combination of points awarded by the Judge and for each bull’s Terminal Sire Index, was Auckvale Lottery 1362L, W & R Kemp & Sons, with Haven Lamborghini, EL Lewis & Son in Reserve and Free Town Landmark, RA Bradstock in third position.