Up first in the Royal Ulster Winter Fair schedule were the young showmanship classes, which saw all four champion titles go to southern exhibitors.

The junior title was won by Katie Jones, the intermediate title went to Katie’s brother Will Jones and the senior title was won by Holly Keenan, while the mature title was won by Alexander Tinney.

The Jersey heifer championship and reserve interbreed heifer championship were both won by Potterswall Chrome Lady 3 for the Fleming family.

The reserve Jersey heifer champion was awarded to Joel and Clive Richardson with Logan Chrome Chicago.

The junior Jersey champion was Treasure Andreas Fernleaf ET for G and D Simpson.

Ayrshire championship line-up.

In the Ayrshire classes, it was Christian Keenan with Knowe Mix Brown Kate 2 that took the champion heifer spot, while reserve went to the second-prizewinner in that class Beechmount Ethel 20 for R and C McConnell.

The junior Ayrshire championship was won by the McClean family with Priestland Hail Sierra Lily, with reserve going to second-prizewinner Carnell Ringer Snowdrop 2 for Stewart and Nyree Baxter.

Holstein

The Holstein classes, which were some of the most hotly contested classes of the day, resulted in a Holstein heifer championship and an interbreed heifer championship title for Knowlesmere Jones Unix Victoir for Jones and Knowelsmere Holsteins.

Heifer championship line-up.

The reserve Holstein heifer championship was secured by Hallow Octain Twizzle from the Hallow Holsteins herd.

The junior Holstein championship was secured by Gary and Isobel Jones with Jones Haniko J Lo, which also went on to be tapped out as the interbreed junior champion.

She was followed in reserve in the junior Holstein championship by William and Alan Paul with Slatabogie Doral All Rich Red, with the reserve junior interbreed going to the Jersey junior champion.

There was a great buzz around the show ring, as the visitors to the show awaited the overall breed championships and the interbreed champions later on the same evening and indeed a huge buzz around the trade stand area, with almost 200 agricultural related trade stands present.

Pick up your copy of next week’s Irish Farmers Journal for a full show report.