The Hereford breed was once again well represented at the Royal Cornwall Show, with a strong turnout of cattle and enthusiastic breeders from across the region and beyond. Under the judging expertise of Mr Joe Clark from Thame, Oxfordshire, exhibitors presented cattle that stood out and represented the characteristics of the breed.
Taking home both the female championship and the coveted breed championship was Lanscombe 1 Foxglove, an outstanding heifer from the Mitchell family. Born in January 2024, Foxglove was one of the younger ones in her class but stood out immediately for her exceptional balance, style, and breed character.
Lanscombe 1 Foxglove
Sired by Vexour 1 Phantom and out of the homebred cow Lanscombe 1 Winkie, this young female impressed the judge with her presence and structure, topping a competitive class of six heifers. Mr Clark commented that ‘she’s a heifer with very little to fault with, great length, moves well and has a nicely balanced top line. She caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring’. Foxglove also won her class at the Bath & West Show, stood reserve exhibitor bred champion, and played a key role in a winning Hereford pair, further cementing her reputation as one of the standout young females on the circuit this season.
The reserve female champion title went to Solpoll 1 Pansy T17, a senior cow and the oldest Hereford exhibited at the show. After winning her class with ease, she continued her form in the championship ring, standing proudly behind Foxglove. Owned by F J Wood & Sons from Devon, Pansy is no stranger to the spotlight, as she was the Hereford champion at the 2024 Devon County Show, and once again proved her enduring quality and strength.
Solpoll 1 Pansy T17
Over in the male division, Dendor 1 Alabama took the honours as overall male champion. Bred by DE, ED & AL Jones and now owned by the Wood family, Alabama impressed with his scale, power, and classic Hereford traits. This June 2022-born bull, the oldest bull forward, is sired by Dendor 1 Vivian and out of Dendor 1 Jennefer 17. He topped his class before going on to take the male championship title, a deserved recognition of his maturity and presence in the ring.
Dendor 1 Alabama
Adding another accolade for the Mitchell family, Dorset, Lanscombe 1 Frankel stood reserve male champion after winning his class with style. This February 2024-born bull is the first calf by stock bull Maxstoke 1 Willis and is already building an impressive record, having won his class and taken the male championship at the Bath & West Show just days earlier. Frankel caught the judge’s eye for his length, natural presence, and potential, a real credit to the Mitchell breeding programme.
Lanscombe 1 Frankel
A highlight for local exhibitors came when the Johns family, well known Hereford breeders based in Cornwall, proudly took home the award for Best Animal Bred in Cornwall. Their heifer, Trenoweth Pansy, born in March 2023, was recognised for her quality, correctness, and breed character. She was sired by Ervie Advance and out of Westwood Pansy 106th.
Breed stand success
The Hereford stand attracted a steady flow of visitors, with society representatives on hand to provide information on the breed’s commercial and sustainable advantages. Educational material, breed literature, and promotional items were distributed, and many constructive conversations were held with both the farming public and general showgoers. The quality of the stand proved to be a great success as it won two awards, the best exhibit and special education award for a breed society.
Full Results List
Breed and female champion – Lanscombe 1 Foxglove – R A & V A Mitchell
Reserve breed and female champion – Solpoll 1 Pansy T17 – F J Wood & Sons
Male champion – Dendor 1 Alabama – F J Wood & Sons
Reserve male champion – Lanscombe 1 Frankel – R A & V A Mitchell
Best Cornish Bred – Trenoweth Pansy – The Johns Family
Cow or heifer born in or before 2022 with calf at foot
1st – Solpoll 1 Pansy T17 – F J Wood & Sons
2nd – Keadyview 1 Pippa Kicks – Keadyview Livestock
Heifer born in 2023
1st – Grianan Orange B008 – Keadyview Livestock
2nd – Lanscombe 1 Ebony – R A & V A Mitchell
3rd – Creuddyn 1 Barbie – G Davies
Heifer, born on or after 1st January 2024
1st – Lanscombe 1 Foxglove – R A & V A Mitchell
2nd – Mairwen 1 Maggie Moultan – N Owens
3rd – Lanscombe 1 Forever – R A & V A Mitchell
Bull born before 1st August 2023
1st – Dendor 1 Alabama – F J Wood & Sons
Bull born on, or between 1st August 2023 and 31st December 2023
1st – Adzor Barlow – D J Makin
Bull born in 2024
1st – Lanscombe 1 Frankel – R A & V A Mitchell
2nd – Creuddyn 1 Kingsize – G Davies
3rd – Allwood 1 Brigadier – F J Wood & Sons
Group of three animals – R A & V A Mitchell