This year has brought both highs and lows for our community. The ongoing impact of the Blue Tongue virus has continued to restrict breeders’ ability to travel to shows, while extended dry periods, although contributing to a busy show season, have made conditions challenging for cattle due to heat and lack of grass.
Despite these hurdles, our dedicated members have continued to exhibit their cattle up and down the country, resulting in fierce competition for this year’s accolades and awards.
Female of the Year and Poll Female of the Year were awarded to Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 37th, exhibited by D.E., E.D. & A.L. Jones. She began her season at the Shropshire County Show, where she won her class, the breed championship, and achieved interbreed success. At the Royal Three Counties, this young cow, accompanied by her stylish heifer calf, Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 46th, went on to win their class, followed by the senior female, overall female, and overall supreme championships. She is sired by Dendor 1 Nairobi and out of the renowned Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 30th, from a consistently successful female line. It’s been a particularly special summer for newlyweds Hannah and Twm Jones.
In the male section, bull of the Year was awarded to Creuddyn 1 Kingsize, from Gwyndaf Davies of the Creuddyn Herd. An impressive achievement for such a young bull (April 2024-born), who stood out even among older competitors throughout the summer. Alongside multiple class wins, his standout performance was taking both junior male champion and overall male champion at the Royal Welsh Show. He is by the influential sire SMH Kingsize 87K and out of Mountview 1 Kali.
Another significant accolade for the Dendor family was the show herd of the year title. This award comes at the end of a personally difficult year for the family, but their determination and resilience have been widely recognised. It’s a well-deserved win, testament to years of quality breeding and unwavering dedication.
Moralee 1 Big Time also made his mark on this year’s show circuit, securing numerous prizes. Exhibited by Tom and Di Harrison of the Moralee Herd, this young March 2024-born bull impressed across the board, claiming male champion at the Great Yorkshire Show, male champion and reserve supreme at the Royal Highland, and most recently, reserve supreme champion at the National Poll Show. A real standout in the breed.
Another star of the Moralee team was Bawnlea Fighter Fury, a stablemate to Big Time. Purchased from Peter and Alannah Cooke of Bawnlea Herefords, this bull was brought in to add even more power to an already strong horned herd, and he has not disappointed, both in the ring and in breeding. His accolades include senior male, male champion, and reserve supreme champion at the National Horned Show, showcasing the strength and versatility of young horned bulls.
In the horned female section, one of the season’s standout performers was Borovere Tiara 3rd, from E. & J. Lake of the Borovere Herd. This stylish October 2023-born heifer took the female champion title at the Royal Norfolk, and went on to win intermediate female, overall female, and supreme champion at the National Horned Show. Sired by Pulham Va Va Voom and out of Pulham Tiara 5th, she impressed judges all summer. This further adds to the Lakes’ success, as they were also crowned Horned Herd of the Year, a remarkable achievement, especially while raising a young family, with sons Charlie and James already showing enthusiasm and promise for the future.
Lastly, sire of the year was awarded to Solpoll 1 Perfection, owned by S.C. & G.L. Hartwright of the Spartan Herd and bred by the McMordie family, this year’s National Herd of the Year winners. Perfection continues to live up to his name, not only producing prize-winning offspring but also maintaining a dominant presence in the show ring. Remarkably, this marks his third consecutive win of the title, having also secured it in 2022 and 2023.
Many congratulations to all exhibitors and breeders for your ongoing commitment and excellence, especially in what remains a turbulent time for the agricultural industry. Your efforts continue to raise the profile of the breed and inspire the next generation.
Full results
Female of the year
Bull of the year
Show Herd of the year
Poll Female of the year
Poll Bull of the Year
Horned Bull of the year
Horned Female of the year
Horned Herd of the year
Sire of the Year