The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), organisers of the Royal Highland Show, has announced the judges for the 2016 event.
The task of placing around 7000 head of the country’s top cattle, sheep, horses, goats and poultry will be in the hands of 48 judges from Scotland, 49 from England, eight from Wales, six from Northern Ireland and one from the Republic of Ireland.
In the sheep rings, Cheviot Society member James Irving, of Mountbenger, Selkirk, will select the Overall Inter Breed Champion. Champion Charollais breeder Herbie Kennedy of Parkgate, Dumfries will judge the Overall Sheep Pairs Inter-Breed Championship and Young Handlers. Meanwhile, other judges in the sheep competition include: Show Manager of the Royal Three Counties Show, Doreen Smillie-Gray, who will be looking after the Ryland category; David Jackson, Pole Farm, Lochgoilhead who will be judging the fiercely fought Blackface section and Nicholas Robinson, Hexham will be responsible for the Bluefaced Leicester (traditional type), both categories being the most popular in 2015.
In the dairy rings, the job of judging the Overall Dairy will be carried out by Edward Crank, Village Green Farm, Chester. The Davidson family is overseeing the majority of the Dairy judging line up for 2016: Keith Davidson, Halmyre, Castle Douglas will judge the Ayrshire & British Red and White; Keith’s brother, Brian J Davidson, Errolston, Gretna has the Hosteins; and Keith’s daughter, Katie Davidson, Myrtle Cottage, Haugh of Urr, will be casting her expert gaze over Dairy Calf and Showmanship.
The mammoth task of selecting the Overall Beef Native Inter Breed Team Champion 2016 will be in the very capable hands of Irishman V J Wallace, Trinaltinagh House, Garvagh, Londonderry. Other Inter Breed Beef judges include: Beef Breeder & Beef Junior – Michael Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul; Inter Breed Pairs – a member of one of Scotland’s iconic farming families, James K Goldie, Orchard Cottage, Clarencefield, Dumfries; and the Inter Breed Team and Overall Beef Inter Breed falls to a great supporter of the Show, and Simmental breeder, Gerald W Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk.
There will be 36 sections in 2016 for the Light Horses, nine of which are HOYS qualifiers. All classes will be judged by some of the most experienced and well-respected individuals in the equine industry, including Chris Hunnable, who is well known in the hunter world and who regularly shows competitively himself. Two other top-drawer equestrian judges, David Bartram and Chris Lawton, will be taking judging responsibilities in the riding horses section.
In the heavy horses, Clydesdale judging will fall to two breeders from well known studs, Neil Christie, Dalern, Dalfoil, By Glasgow and William Clark, Pitlandie, Stanley. Linda Impey, Chelmsford, Essex and John A Reid, Inverurie, will oversee the Highland classes, both showing regularly themselves. The Native harness class will be judged by retired Invercauld Estate gamekeeper Peter Fraser, Abergeldie, by Ballater, one the country’s leading authorities on deer.
As always, the 2016 Poultry classes will be sharply contested, with some of the UK’s top billed poultry experts judging the four categories.
The main lists for sheep, beef and dairy cattle, goats, light and heavy horses, turnouts and grooming are below.
Supported by RBS, the 176th Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, on June 23-26 2016.
LIST OF JUDGES
SHEEP
Overall Sheep Inter Breed Championship
Mr J Irving, Mountbenger, Mountbenger, Yarrow, Selkirk.
Overall Sheep Pairs Inter-Breed Championship & Young Handlers Classes
Mr Francis (Herbie) Kennedy, Parkcroft, Parkgate, Dumfries.
Blackface
Mr David Jackson, Pole Farm, Lochgoilhead, Argyll.
North Country Cheviot
Mr David Pittendreigh, Plass Villa, Llanlwni, Pencader, Dyfed.
North Country Cheviot Hill
Mr Alan Cowens, Old Mill, Philiphaugh, Selkirk.
Border Leicester
Mr Matt Steel, Cessnock Hill Farm, Hurlford, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.
Suffolk
Mr G. Melvin Stuart, Milton of Birness, Ellon, Aberdeenshire.
Cheviot
Mrs Morag Cockburn, Stirkfield Farm, Broughton, Biggar
Bluefaced Leicester – Traditional Type
Mr Nicholas Robinson, West Cocklaw Farm, Humshaugh, Hexham.
Bluefaced Leicester – Crossing Type
Mr John Stott, Laund Farm, Chipping, Preston, Lancashire.
Jacob
Mr Robert Locker, Greenlaw Mill Farm, Greenlaw, Berwickshire.
Texel
Mr Robert Laird, Cambwell Farm, Skirling, Biggar, Lanarkshire.
Ryeland
Mrs Doreen Smillie-Gray, Oakberrow, Stoneyard Green, Coddington, Ledbury.
Charollais
Mr William McAllister, 92 Parkgate Road, Kells, Ballymena, Co Antrim.
Shetland
Mr Eric Graham, Gremista Farm, Gremista, Lerwick, Shetland.
British Rouge
Mr John Powell, White House, Snead, Churchstocke, Montgomery, Powys.
British Berrichon
Mr David Gwynne, 6 Creigiau Cottages, Church Street, Talgarth, Powys.
Scotch Mule
Mr David Rock, Knock O-Ronald, Gargunnock, Stirling.
Beltex
Mr John Barclay, Mid Brockloch Farm, Maybole, Ayrshire.
Lleyn
Mr. William Williams, Bodtacho Ddu, Nefyn, Pwllheli. Gwynedd.
Hebridean
Mr Eric Medway, Knox Mill, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Swaledale
Mr K Whitehead, Thwaite Farm, Muker, Richmond, North Yorkshire.
Bleu Du Maine
Mr James Farquharson, Horn Farm, Errol , Perth, Perthshire
Hampshire Down
Mr Kevin McCarthy, Mossbank Farm, Ballycreelly, Comber, County Down.
Zwartbles
Mr Cyril Cromie, The Fort, 207 Belfast Road, Ballynahinch, Co Down.
Commercial Sheep
Mr Ronnie Wilkie, Tillyboy, Echt, Westhill, Aberdeenshire.
North of England Mules
Mr Roly Hayton, Asby Grange, Great Asby, Appleby In Westmorland.
DAIRY GOATS
Dairy Goats, Kids & Milking
Mr G Godfrey, Counthorpe House, Counthorpe, Little Bytham, Lincolnshire.
BEEF CATTLE
Beef Native Breeds Inter Breed Team Championship
Mr V J Wallace, Trinaltinagh House, 98 Edenbane Rd, Garvagh, Londonderry
Beef Breeder Competition & Junior Beef Inter Breed Championship
Mr Michael Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul. Ballindalloch.
Beef Inter Breed Team Competition and Overall Beef Inter-Breed Championship
Mr Gerald W Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk.
Beef Inter-Breed Pairs Competition
Mr James K Goldie, Orchard Cottage, Clarencefield, Dumfries.
Young Handlers
Mrs Maggie MacQuiston, 46 Seven Mile Straight, Muckamore, Antrim, Co. Antrim.
Beef Shorthorn
Mr Ian Neish, 2 Craigeassie Farm, By Forfar, Angus.
Aberdeen Angus
Mr J Russell Taylor, Middlebank Farm, Errol, Perthshire.
Galloway
Mr Dennis Gall, Annfield Cottage, Millhall East, Striling.
Belted Galloway
Mr S Renton, 3, Tannabae Brae, Duns, Berwickshire.
Highland
Mr James McConachie, Culfoichmore, Advie, Grantown on Spey, Morayshire
Hereford
Mr Danny Wylie, Pessal Farm, Tamworth, Staffordshire.
British Charolais
Mr Iain Millar, Lochend Farm, Port of Menteith, Stirling.
British Simmental
Mr Norman Robson, Kilbride Farm, 106 Cogry Road, Doagh, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim.
British Limousin
Mr Steven Illingworth, Howgillside., Eaglesfield, Lockerbie.
British Blonde
Mr Roy Kinnish, Manor Farm, Aston Botterell, Nr Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
British Blue
Mr Allan Wilkinson, Springfield Farm, Whin Lane, Out Rawcliffe, Preston.
Salers
Mr Neil Barclay, Harestone, Harestone Farm, Crathes, Banchory, Aberdeenshire
Commercial Cattle
Mrs Wendy Hunter, Newbigging, Culsalmond, Insch, Aberdeenshire.
DAIRY CATTLE
Overall Dairy
Mr Edward Crank, Village Green Farm, Chester
Ayrshire & British Red and White
Mr Keith Davidson, Halmyre, Castle Douglas.
Holstein
Mr Brian J Davidson, Errolston, Gretna, Dumfriesshire, DG16 5HL
Jersey
Mr Peter Prior, Nortons, Radley Green, Nr Ingateston, Essex, CM4 0LU
Dairy Shorthorn
Mr James Robinson, Strickley, Old Hutton, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 0LU
Dairy Calf and Showmanship
Miss Katie Davidson, Myrtle Cottage, Sunnybrae, Haugh of Urr.
LIGHT HORSE
Hunter in Hand & Hunters Under Saddle – Weights and Small (conf) (HOYS)
Mr Richard Ramsay, Little Holdrops, Common Road, Newbury.
Hunters Under Saddle – Weights and Small (ride) (HOYS)
Mr Chris Hunnable, Great Maplestead, Essex
Hunters Under Saddle – Working Hunters (ride) (HOYS) and Side Saddle (ride)
Miss S Chapman, The Old Farmhouse, Pen Y Banc, Powys.
Hunters Under Saddle – Working Hunters (conf) (HOYS) and Side Saddle (conf)
Mr A Spalding, Hedgeholme, Winston, Darlington.
Hunters Under Saddle – Novice Hunters (ride)
Mr R Sharp, The Barn, Kings Road, Devizes, Wilts.
Hunters Under Saddle – Novice Hunters (conf)
Mr A Wareham, Etheridge Farm, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blanford Forum, Dorset.
Highland Ponies Under Saddle (ride)
Mrs Alison M McLeod, Dalrawer Farm, Aberfeldy, Perthshire.
Highland Ponies Under Saddle (conf)
Mr John A Reid, 1 Jackstown Cottages, Rothienorman, Inverurie.
Mountain and Moorland Ponies Under Saddle (HOYS)
Fell, Dales, Highland, Connemara, Welsh Section D (conf)
Mrs Elizabeth Claxton, 1 Clunymore Drive, Rosemount, Blairgowrie, Perthshire
Fell, Dales, Highland, Connemara, Welsh Section D (ride)
Mrs Jackie Beatham, The Gate House, Landford, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Welsh Section C, B & A, New Forest, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Sheetland (conf)
Mrs EA Nicholls, Hillside Cottage, Old London Road, Wotton-Under-Edge.
Welsh Section C, B & A, New Forest, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Sheetland (ride)
Miss Fiona Leadbitter, Thornberry Stud, The Coach House, Ystradowen, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.
Mountain & Moorland Lead Rein & First Ridden (HOYS)
Conformation
Mrs Julia Woods, Rose Cottage, 3 High Street, Cheveley, Newmarket.
Ride
Mr D E Puttock, Belvedere, 20 Drovers Way, Newent, Gloustershire.
Riding Pony & Hunter Pony Breeding
Mrs A J Calvert, Squirrel Park, Burghwallis, Doncaster.
Riding Horses (HOYS) & Novice Riding Horses
Ride
Mr David Bartram, Canal Cottage, 5 Bibby Street, Rode Heath, Stoke on Trent.
Conformation
Mr Chris Lawton, Canal Cottage, 5 Bibby Street, Rode Heath, Stoke on Trent.
Coloured Horses & Ponies Under Saddle (HOYS)
Ride
Mr Carl Owen, 185 Penrhos Road, Bangor, Gwynedd.
Conformation
Ms Linda Cadman, 38 Parkfield, Chadderton, Oldham.
Coloured Horses & Ponies in Hand
Miss Fiona Reed, Bankhead Farm, Puddledub, Auchtertool.
Side Saddle & Equitation
Mrs M Nicholson, Willow Trees, Howhill Road, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate.
Donkeys in Hand
Mrs P Moon, 47 Laburnum Avenue, Lostock Hall, Preston, Lancashire.
Sports Horse in Hand
Mrs Loraine Young, Carsegowniemuir, Aberlemno, Angus.
Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Ponies (HOYS)
Jumping
Mrs J Webb, Minstrels Farm, Easy Huntspill, Somerset.
Conformation
Mrs M C Nimmo, Duntarvie Stud, Winchburgh, Broxburn.
Mountain & Moorland in Hand Overall (Waxwing Trophy)
Mr D E Puttock, Belvedere, 20 Drovers Way, Newent, Gloustershire.
Connemara
Mrs J C MacInnes, Ivy House, Skelton Wood End, Penrith.
Retraining of Racehorse Final
Ride
Mr Jimmy Frost, Hawson Stables, Buckfastleigh, Devon
Conformation
Mr Jonathan A Geake, Harestone House, East Kennet, Marlborough
Eriskay Ponies
Mr Ronald Black, Newton of Collessie, by Ladybank, Fife.
Mountain & Moorland Ponies in Hand
Mr Stephen Howard, Village Farm, Bilton in Ainsty, York.
St Johns Wells Trophy
Mrs Gillian McMurray, Bellstown, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie.
Welsh Mountain Ponies (Section A)
Mr Jack Hendy, Boxbush, Great Oak Road, Raglan, Gwent.
Welsh Ponies (Section B)
TBA
Welsh Ponies Cob Type (Section C) & Welsh Cobs (Section D)
Mr JM Llewellyn-James, Mill Lane, Drakes Broughton, Worcester.
Arabs Anglo Arabs & Part Bred Arabs Under Saddle
Mrs Lynne Lidbury, Upper Cullyhall Farm, Ryedown Lane, Bitton, Bristol.
Arabs Anglo Arabs & Part Bred in Hand
Mr Peter Upton, The Old Vicarage, Clun, Shropshire.
HOYS Cuddy Breeder Supreme in Hand Championship Qualifier
Mr Jonathan A Geake, Harestone House, East Kennett, Marlborough.
Show Ponies and Show Pony Lead Rein & First Ridden
Mrs A Colles, The Cottage, 42 South Road, Bretherton, Preston.
Working Hunter Ponies (HOYS)
Jumping
Mr P Molloy, 2 Rockbrook, Rathfarnham, Dublin.
Conformation
Mrs G Wright, Moorfield, Walton, Brampton.
Show Hunter Ponies and Show Hunter Pony Lead Rein & First Ridden (HOYS) (conf)
Miss Bridget Millington, The Coach House, Tythrop Park, Kingsey, Nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Show Hunter Ponies and Show Hunter Pony Lead Rein & First Ridden (HOYS) (ride)
Mrs M Bevan Jones, The Stables, Spindlestone Farm, Spindlestone, Belford, Northumberland.
HOYS Welsh/Arab Part-Bred Ridden
Performance
Mrs Julia Woods, Rose Cottage, 3 High Street, Cheveley, Newmarket.
Ride
Mr D E Puttock, Belvedere, 20 Drovers Way, Newent, Gloustershire.
PRIVATE DRIVING
Shetland Pony, Highland Pony and Private Driving (HOYS Qualifier)
Mrs A Rushton-Green, Alton Bank, Newhouses, Hawick, Borders.
HEAVY HORSE,HARNESS and DRIVING
Clydesdale Males
Mr Neil Christie, Dalarn, Dalfoil, Balfron by Glasgow.
Clydesdale Females
Mr William Clark, Pitlandie, Stanley, Perth.
Ridden
Mrs Joanna Jack, Wester Newburn, Leven, Fife.
Young Handlers
Mr Campbell Steel, 1 Brodick Drive, Stewartfield, Jackton Farm, Stewartfield, East Kilbride
Highland Males
Mrs Linda E Impey, Oak Croft, Priors Green, Hertford end, Chelmsford, Essex.
Highland Females
Mr John A Reid, 1 Jackstown Cottages, Rothienorman, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.
Shetlands
Mr James D Swan, Teanahaun Croft, Conon Bridge, by Dingwall, Ross-Shire.
HGD
Mr Bill Massey, Primrose Hill, High Legh, Knutsford, Cheshire
Native Harness
Mr Peter Fraser, Catanellan, Abergeldie, Crathie, by Ballater, Aberdeenshire.
Turnouts
Mr John Anderson, Drummygar Mains, Carmyllie, by Arbroath DD11 2
POULTRY
Waterfowl and Large Fowl
Mr J Halley, Beech Tree Farm, Bielby, York.
Heavy Breeds, Hardfeather and Junior
Mr A R Kerr, Easter Cleughead Cottage, Bonchester Bridge, Hawick.
Bantams – Light Breeds and Eggs
Mrs T Hamilton Gould, Tower Fields, Tunsmore Road, Souldern, Bicester, Oxon.
True Bantams and Rare Breeds
Mr Robin Elflett, 11 Broadlands Close, Dersingham
