A strong entry was forward for this year’s National Hereford Show, held at Omagh Show, showcasing the quality and commitment of Northern Irish breeders.Despite persistent rain in the two weeks leading up to the event, the show ring remained in good order and spirits were high among exhibitors and spectators alike.
The overall championship, junior male and overall male champion titles were awarded to Richmount 1 Cracker Corleone, a smart young bull calf who easily topped the class for animals born on or after 1 September 2024 and on or before 31 December 2024. No stranger to the show ring, he had already been exhibited at the Balmoral Show, where he won his class and went on to take the reserve junior breed champion title. Once again, this December 2024-born bull impressed the judge and breed president Mr Steve Edwards, Leicestershire, with his deep colour, correct breed markings, nice depth to the quarters, well fleshed and overall style. Sired by Fisher 1 Jaguar J347 and out of the homebred cow Richmount 1 Poppy, Cracker displayed true potential both in the show ring and as a future breeding prospect.
Richmount 1 Cracker Corleone
Overall reserve grand champion, female champion, and junior female champion went to Moyadd 1 Baileys, bred and exhibited by Ciara Fitzpatrick, an enthusiastic young breeder. The heifer also competed at Balmoral Show, placing second in a strong heifer class, and went one better here, winning the heifer born on or after 1 January 2024 and on or before 31 August 2024 class in a field of seven exceptional entries.
She caught the judge’s eye from the outset, with comments praising her strong topline, femininity, and clean structure with no waste. Born in April 2024, she is sired by Richmount 1 Towmac and out of Solpoll 1 Starlet M21.
Moyadd 1 Baileys
Females opened the day’s proceedings with a strong cow or heifer class, each with their own calf at foot. With five well-presented entries forward, Mr Edwards was immediately put through his paces, carefully assessing these impressive working outfits.
Taking first place in the cow or heifer with calf at foot class was Ballypallady 1 Wizzbit, shown alongside her stylish calf, Ballypallady 1 Calamity Jane. This impressive outfit is no stranger to the show circuit, having already appeared at the prestigious Balmoral Show where the heifer calf secured third place in the heifer born in 2024 class. Ballypallady 1 Wizzbit is an April 2022-born female, bred from Hawkesbury 1 Veronica and sired by Seaconpoll 1 Rumpus. Her calf, Calamity Jane, born in September 2024, is by Dorepoll 1 60G Chinook. Mr. Edwards praised Wizzbit’s easy movement and fresh appearance, highlighting her excellent mothering ability and the quality of the pair as a working outfit. Calamity Jane then went on to take overall reserve female champion and junior female champion, high accolades for a female so young, this promises a strong future for the calf.
Ballypallady 1 Calamity Jane
Country Crest Brooks, exhibited by Ciaran Kerr, won the bull born on or after 1 April 2023 and on or before 31 December 2023 class before going on to claim the reserve male champion title. This impressive intermediate bull exudes strength, a quality also evident in his previous success at Balmoral Show, where he secured the reserve breed and male championships. Sired by Coralstown Hurricane and out of the Ballyaville Jen cow, he displays excellent potential for the future.
Country Crest Brooks
Closing the male section was the reserve junior male champion, Moyadd 1 Bulmers, exhibited by Ciara Fitzpatrick. This March 2024-born bull won his class and impressed with his strong breeding. He is sired by Fisher 1 Profile P456 and out of Richmount 1 Victoria.
Moyadd 1 Bulmers
Entries reflected the strength and depth of the breed in Northern Ireland, with classes well-supported across all age groups. Judging was thorough, with keen competition in both male and female sections. The champion was praised for exceptional breed character, balance, and structural soundness, highlighting the focus on quality breeding in the region.
Full Results List
Overall grand, junior male and overall male champion – Richmount 1 Cracker Corleone – Bradley Graham
Overall reserve grand, female and junior female champion – Moyadd 1 Baileys – Ciara Fitzpatrick
Reserve female & reserve junior female champion – Ballypallady 1 Calamity Jane – Stephen Cherry
Reserve male champion – Country Crest Brooks – Ciaran Kerr
Reserve junior male champion – Moyadd 1 Bulmers – Ciara Fitzpatrick
Cow or heifer born on or before 31 December 2022, in calf or with own calf at foot
1st – Ballypallady 1 Wizzbit – Stephen Cherry
2nd – Richmount 1 Poppy – Bradley Graham
3rd – Somerville 1 Duchess – Heather King
Heifer, born on or after 1 January 2023 & on or before 30 June 2023 in calf or with own calf at foot
1st – Carney Hill 1 Gillian 11th – J, K & H Taggart
2nd – Carney Hill 1 Gillian 10th – J, K & H Taggart
3rd – Sessiagh 1 Ariana – Uel Shaw
Heifer, born on or after 1 July 2023 & on or before 31 December 2023
1st – Benburb 1 Alice 11th – Alan Shaw
Heifer, born on or after 1 January 2024 & or before 31 August 2024
1st – Moyadd 1 Baileys – Ciara Fitzpatrick
2nd – Nancy Imogen – Tracey Morton
3rd – Moyadd 1 Barbie – Ciara Fitzpatrick
Heifer, born on or after 1 September 2024 & on or before 31 December 2024
1st – Ballypallady 1 Calamity Jane – Stephen Cherry
2nd – Benburb 1 Ripley 5th – Alan Shaw
Heifer calf, born on or after 1 January 2025
1st – Somerville 1 Cora – Heather King
Bull, born on or before 31 March 2023
1st – Herberry 1 Humberto – Greer Watson
2nd – Carrowboy 1 Perfect – Martin Hamilton
Bull, born on or after 1 April 2023 & on or before 31 December 2023
1st – Country Crest Brooks – Ciaran Kerr
Bull, born on or after 1 January 2024 & on or before 31 August 2024
1st – Moyadd 1 Bulmers – Ciara Fitzpatrick
2nd – Richmount 1 Bugatti – Bradley Graham
3rd – Somerville 1 Bandit – Heather King
Bull calf born on or after 1 September 2024 & on or before 31 December 2024
1st – Richmount 1 Cracker Corleone – Bradley Graham
2nd – Banbury 1 Cola – Greer Watson
3rd – Benburb 1 Copper – Alan Shaw
Bull calf born on or after 1 January 2025
1st – Nancy Jack Daniels – Tracey Morton
Progeny pair, by same Sire or Dam & entered in the above classes
1st – J, K & H Taggart with Carney Hill 1 Gillian 11th& Carney Hill 1 Gillian 10th
2nd – Ciara Fitzpatrick with Moyadd 1 Baileys & Moyadd 1 Barbie
3rd – Tracey Morton with Nancy Isla and Nancy Imogen
Group of 3 animals, property of one exhibitor & drawn from above classes
1st – Ciara Fitzpatrick with Moyadd 1 Baileys, Moyadd 1 Barbie & Moyadd 1 Bulmers
2nd – Alan Shaw with Benburb 1 Alison 2nd, Benburb 1 Bethany & Benburb 1 Beauty
3rd – Bradley Graham with Richmount 1 Poppy, Richmount 1 Lady Beth & Richmount 1 Cracker Corleone
Overall young handler champion – Hollie Taggart
Reserve overall young handler champion – Elsie Watson