The 2016 Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s weekend event, held at the end of September, which incorporated the National Final was yet again a close fought competition in all three age categories, with judges giving particular praise to the younger end of the competitors.

Taking place at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, some 35 finalists gathered from across the UK and Ireland for a series of morning workshops and seminars, with the afternoon seeing the competitive end of the weekend as the juniors, intermediates and seniors who had qualified from workshops held in the summer excelled in areas such as stock judging, clipping and dressing and ring craft. The senior finalists, who were all competing for the chance of a world Aberdeen-Angus study trip of their choosing, also took part in a panel interview.

Six keen, young enthusiasts from the South West of England headed to Peterborough and held their own incredibly well across all of the competitions.

At just 10 years old Grace Denning from Temple Farm, Somerset, impressed the judges in all areas. For such a young Aberdeen-Angus fan, her stock judging presentation was incredibly strong giving clear and concise reasons, commented master judge Roger Long. Equally, ring craft judge Matthew Goulding was incredibly impressed with her. “She had a tricky heifer who played up at the start of the class, but she handled her well showing great confidence and skill.”

Adding his thoughts, programme chairman Mark Pilcher, Cornwall, said: “The South West finalists were fantastic from start to finish. Representing the juniors, intermediates and seniors, there is certainly some great talent in the west country.”

Kerris Richards from Cornwall, who was also competiting in the junior section, took a second in the clipping and dressing section with Grace coming third and Lottie Hill, Somerset, coming fourth. Meanwhile, Kerris went one better to win the junior showmanship class with Grace coming second and Lottie fourth. Jake Sayer, Somerset, came a credible fourth in the senior panel interview.

The weekend final also included a number of technical seminars in the morning including topics such as grass quality and management and carcass cuts and selection. All YDP workshop attendees were invited and some took the chance to attend the workshops and compete in the stock judging competition for further experience.

Adding her thoughts to the weekend, YDP co-ordinator Gayle Bersey said: “Every year the final weekend event delivers above and beyond my expectations of these youngsters. It’s great to see the real young ones take on the challenge of competition just as much as it is to see some of those who have worked their way up the age categories go on and impress the judges. A particular thank you must go to the team at East of England for hosting this year and the many workshop speakers, judges, stewards and helpers who all made the weekend yet another great addition to the YDP calendar.”

Section results:

Juniors:

Stock judging

1st – Grace Denning, Somerset

2nd – Kirsty Campbell, Scottish Borders

3rd – Andrew Hamill, Northern Ireland

4th – Lottie Hill, Somerset

Dressing

1st – Andrew Hamill, Northern Ireland

2nd – Kerris Richards, Cornwall

3rd – Grace Denning, Somerset

4th – Lottie Hill, Somerset

Ringcraft

1st – Kerris Richards, Cornwall

2nd – Grace Denning, Somerset

3rd – Kirsty Campbell, Scottish Borders

4th – Lottie Hill, Somerset

Overall Junior Winner – Grace Denning

Intermediates:

Stock judging

1st – Holly Lutkin, Norfolk and John McCulloch, Perthshire

2nd – David Rea, Northern Ireland

3rd – Andrew Adam, Angus

4th – Shona Andrew, Ayrshire

Dressing

1st – Holly Lutkin, Norfolk

2nd – Maddie Clarke, Norfolk

3rd – Donald MacLean, Hampshire

4th – Andrew Adam, Angus

Ringcraft

1st – David Rea, Northern Ireland

2nd – John McCulloch, Perthshire

3rd – Andrew Adam, Angus

4th – Grace Cruickshanks, Ayrshire

Overall Intermediate Winner - Andrew Adam

Seniors:

Stock Judging

1st – Ashleigh Fenwick, Yorkshire

2nd – Ruth Perry, Kent

3rd – Georgina Laws, Yorkshire

4th – Jake Sayer, Somerset

Dressing

1st – Thomas Blackburn, Lincolnshire

2nd – Ruth Perry, Kent

3rd – Georgina Laws, Yorkshire

4th – Eoin Cummings, Perthshire

Ringcraft

1st – Thomas Blackburn, Lincolnshire

2nd – Callum Smith, Ayrshire

3rd – Angus MacLean, Hampshire

4th – Mark Wattie, Aberdeen

Panel Interview

1st – Calum Smith, Ayrshire

2nd – Georgina Laws, Yorkshire and Ruth Perry, Kent

3rd – Ashleigh Fenwick, Yorkshire

4th – Jake Sayer, Somerset

Overall Senior Winner – Ruth Perry

Public Speaking Competition on Sunday – Andrew Adam and Angus MacLean

Junior Print marketing on Sunday – Lottie Hill and Archie Jeary