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There was a record number of cattle on display at this year’s Strokestown Show and it’s no wonder, with so many all-Ireland titles up for grabs across a number of breeds.
One of the biggest prize funds running with these titles came in the commercial ring, where the finals for the Greenvale all-Ireland beef heifer and Nutrias all-Ireland beef bullock took place.
Chancy Lady steals the show
Two of the last classes into the ring on the day, it was the females who kicked off for a share of the €2,000 up for grabs.
Judges David Clarke and William Glazebrook took to the centre of the ring, with both having to be in agreement before the final decision was made.
They found their champion in the form of Chancy Lady from Michael Martin, Moate, Co Westmeath.
Exhibited by Melissa and Michelle Tarpey, this Limousin-cross heifer is out of well-known AI bull Ampertaine Foreman.
This finishes off a cracking summer for the show heifer, who picked up a number of commercial and interbreed championships throughout the season.
Standing reserve was Elsa, again a heifer who has enjoyed much success on the show circuit this summer. Bred and exhibited by Derrick Forde, this October 2014 heifer has scooped herself a number of championships, including the overall commercial champion at the recent Limousin International Congress.
Sired by Dartagnan, she is out of a pedigree Belgian Blue cow by Empire. She qualified for the finals in May at Bandon Show.
The Bonniconlon qualifier, a Charolais-cross, came up third for Shane Giltinane, Croagh, Co Limerick.
Bullocks
On to the bullock ring, where there was €5,000 up for grabs for the 17 prequalified bullocks on display.
After much deliberation by the two judges, it was Saoirse Carry-Lynch, Kells, Co Meath, who walked away with a cool €1,000 with her first prize winning Blue-cross.
Originally bred by Vincent Lynch, Kells, Co Meath, this heavy animal qualified last month at Virginia Show.
Standing in reserve was Keith McKinney, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, with his homebred Charolais-cross that qualified at Inishowen. Sired by Bova AI bull Genereux, this February 2015 bullock held off stiff competition in a final lineup, with the Maxwell brothers, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, close behind with their Limousin-cross out of a Blue dam.
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