Charolais friends from near and far gathered at the showgrounds in Carrick on Shannon on Saturday 21st September for the 60th Anniversary National Calf Show. With just shy of 100 cattle catalogued from all corners of the country taking to the show rings, it was a super display of some of the finest Charolais calves in the country to mark 60 years since the breed was first introduced into Ireland.
At the helm of what was always going to be a difficult task were our two UK judges, Mr Steven Nesbitt of the Alwent Charolais herd who took on the task of judging the bull calves and Tom Gatherer of the Barnsford herd who had the challenge of judging the heifer calves. Two well-known and well-established breeders who continue to leave a huge stamp on the Charolais breed both in Ireland, the UK and further afield.
Young Breeders
Kicking off proceedings were the Young Breeders classes which saw Sligo native Daniel O’Connor continue his National winning ways when Nesbitt tapped him forward as the Senior Handler Champion whist in the Junior class, first time Charolais exhibitor Ava Hallinan, also from Co Sligo took the plaudits.
Male Championships
After a long day of judging a number of hotly contested classes, Steven Nesbitt took the show ring for the final time to select his Junior, Intermediate and Senior Calf Champions for 2024.
Junior Male Calf Champion
Kicking off with the Junior Championship, it was Shane Maguire who found himself taking the plaudits with Dundoire Victorious. The February 2024 born calf is a son of Grangwood Royal Oak and Aquanchoua Poppy (ET) and topped off the showing season where he began- as a champion!
The next title on offer was the Reserve Junior Male Championship, and this time Nesbitt found his reserve champion in second prize winner Lahinch Vincent from the herd of Oliver Connolly. Vincent, a January born son of Leopard and Lahinch Roisin stood as a very close second to Victorious earlier in the day before claiming the Reserve Junior Championship.
Intermediate Male Calf Champion
In another hotly contested championship, Limerick breeders Jerry and Kay O’Keeffe found themselves claiming the Intermediate Male Calf Championship with their November 2023 born bull, Gragwood Ugo (ET). Sired by Goldies Icon, this stylish young bull was bred from the renowned Grangwood Jolly Holly.
Reserve Champion in the Intermediate section saw Shane Tully step up to take the plaudits with his December 2023 born bull, MacMelvin Unique. Unique is a son of Lapon and MacMelvin Sinead who herself is a daughter of Drumcullen JJ.
Senior Male Calf Champion
Concluding the male section for the day was the Senior Male Championship which saw Co Westmeath breeder James Geoghegan take home the double. Nesbitt found his Senior Male Champion in Lisnagre Unknown (ET), a September born son of Doonally New (CF52) and Lisnagre Mindy 2, a daughter of Jupiter.
In Reserve stood Unknown’s stable mate, second prize winner, Lisnagre Uno (ET). Uno, a Horace JD-cross Lisnagre Pio bull stood proud as the Reserve senior Champion coming off the back of winning Supreme Champion at the National Livestock Show in Tullamore in August. A super achievement for the Lisnagre herd.
Leading Ladies
In the female section, it was a tough day’s judging for Scottish judge Tom Gatherer who had a hugely impressive line up of females throughout the day.
Junior Female Calf Championship
Starting with the youngest stars of the show, Tom found his Junior Female Calf Champion in Crossane4 Victorious (ET) who found victory for the McGovern Family from Co Sligo. The January 2024 born heifer is a daughter of Goldstar Echo out of a Portnason Hermione dam.
David Magee’s Corney Valentines was next to take the plaudits when she was tapped forward as the Reserve Junior Female Calf Champion. The February 2024 born heifer is a Corbaun Rory and Corney Maura daughter going back to Heracles.
Intermediate Female Calf Champion
The Intermediate Female Championship saw a super line up of consistent summer show winners battle it out for the top spot where unfortunately, there could only be one winner.
This time, it was Dermot and Sarah O’Dowd’s to step up and take the plaudits with their October 2023 born Magicien and Goodmoove Sasha heifer- Beachview U Beauty (ET). U-Beauty had already enjoyed a hugely successful summer show season which was topped off on Saturday with this National title.
Standing very closely in Reserve was another highly acclaimed heifer, this time from Sligo breeders, Brendan and Niall Canning. Their November 2023 born heifer, Sagesse Unita (ET) is a daughter of CF52 and Sagesse Henrietta.
Senior Female Calf Champion
Concluding the days proceedings was the highly anticipated Senior Female Calf Championship. Tom Gatherer found his final champion of the day in Shane Cassidy’s Clonscott12 Unique (ET). This September 2023 born heifer is a daughter of Corrie Alan and Sagesse Martha going back to Adonis.
Finally, the last sash of the day was awarded to Michael Hanlon for his Reserve Senior Female Champion, Ballinroey Ulrika (ET). This September born heifer was sired by Society bull Magicien and was bred from a Taxan-Gie dam, Ballinroey Rosanna.
The Irish Charolais Cattle Society would like to extend their congratulations to all exhibitors who turned out calves for our National Calf Show. To our generous sponsor, Greenvale Animal Feeds without whom our National Calf Show would not be possible, thank you. To our fantastic judges, Steven Nesbitt and Tom Gatherer who kindly travelled from England and Scotland to officiate on the day, thank you. To the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society who provided us with super facilities for our calf show and to Reynolds Catering for the delicious food on the day, thank you. To all of you who travelled from near and far to make our 60th Anniversary celebrations so special- thank you!
Cheer’s to the 60 before and 60 more!
Full results to follow soon
