Darsham Kit Kat

Judge’s Report by Mr David Barker

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the R.A.S.E. and the British Simmental Society for inviting me to judge this prestigious show and to the exhibitors for turning out so many high standard exhibits, which made it a pleasure to place them and a privilege to judge.

Having participated with Simmentals since 1976, it puts a completely different aspect on the event, being in the centre of the ring instead of being on the end of a halter, hopefully though I will be back there again next year.

Junior Heifer:
To kick the day off with eleven strong heifers entering the ring was a challenge. The winner Scotland Bimbo 4th from P. Hill was an eye catching, smart, good mover. Not far behind and placed 2nd was a Darsham heifer and 3rd was a bigger heifer, but not quite so showy from the Sterling herd.

Intermediate Heifer: - 01-08-03 to 31-12-03
When this class of seven entered the ring the Sterling heifer really caught my eye, a lovely big strong feminine heifer and one I suspect to see a lot of in the future, in 2nd place a strong, good sort of heifer from the Crackley herd.

Intermediate Heifer: - 01-04-03 to 31-07-03
Only five heifers forward for this class, they were not quite so powerful as my previous two classes. A smart heifer with a good top line from Darsham was 1st and 2nd an Oakhill heifer, a very good breeding type.

Senior Heifer:
This very strong class of fifteen were a huge credit to the breed, as I was aware of the top half dozen being very powerful, feminine girls. 1st place a big free moving, well fleshed heifer, Sterling Dolores Petra and I’m sure she will go on to be a good breeding cow in the herd in the future, not far behind an eye catching heifer Popes Nelly’s Princess who had a good top line and was very level in her plates, but I went for a more growthy heifer on the day. In 3rd place Celtic Princess from the Birch family, her locomotion was very good. These three heifers were outstanding and would take some beating at any time.  A truly marvellous class.

Cow or Heifer:
Only five animals forward, I chose the heifer from Wales, Celtic Noelle, although she isn’t due to calve until the autumn, she was a good beefy sort. 2nd was Darsham Nina, a very big young cow with a strong calf at foot. This calf won the best Simmental Calf on the day.

Intermediate Cows:
A well behaved, free moving, young feminine cow from Atlow won this class of seven entries. 2nd was Swallowhill Matilda from Mrs Jukes, a very good, lengthy shaped cow, which the breed is renowned for. A young cow from the Darsham stable with plenty of bone and overall beefy type was 3rd.

Senior Cows:
When these five senior cows entered the ring there were two outstanding examples of the breed, Darsham Kit Kat and Atlow Rhians Valentine. Both were superbly turned out, with good locomotion.  I placed Kit-Kat ahead of Valentine as she had more length as well as a calf at foot.  Kit-Kat went on to be female and breed Champion, with Valentine closely behind in both reserve spots.

Junior Bull:
A challenging task with ten junior bulls whom are at a very awkward age.  The winner Astcote Ranger, a big powerful bull with good growth rate and locomotion, an easy winner which  went on to become Reserve Male Champion. 2nd was Tilbrook Rocky, a well muscled bull, but not the strength of my winner.  Sterling Randolph a long bull, but not as fit as the others was 3rd, his day will come.

Junior Bull:
Another Sterling Flint son, Darsham Rocky with plenty of power, good muscling and length won the class. 2nd was Chyanhal Radar a long clean shouldered bull, not over done, a maker. His Cornish stable mate was 3rd, good hindquarters, but not the stretch of the others.

Intermediate Bull:
Only two entries, Ian Turvey’s Shannock Pride, a useful bull followed by Stuart Shrive’s Corskie Pilot.

Senior Bull:
With two full brothers in the ring an unusual sight for the Senior bull class, a credit to Mrs Bricknell their breeder.  Sundial Lewis the senior one of the brothers won the class and was Male Champion, a very well fleshed bull with good hindquarters. P. Gunther’s Fircovert Majestic split them with Sundial Nobby in 3rd place.

Sir John Eastwood Dam Group of the Year:
Atlow Rhians Valentine and her group were a most impressive and outstanding group.

Sterling Sire Group of the Year:
To end my day with a ring full of good cattle puts the icing on the cake and to top it off it was very apt that Sterling should win their trophy, deservedly so with Darsham Kit-Kat, Darsham Parasol and Sterling Dolores Petra, a Sterling Flint trio. Celtic Merlin’s progeny of Beanhill Renee, Celtic Noelle and Celtic Princess were in 2nd place and in 3rd were Sundial Lewis, Sundial Nobby and Sundial Jersey 2nd, a Gretna House Hercules team.  To sum up my day I was very impressed with the females but rather disappointed with the overall standard of the bulls, with a few exceptions.

My thanks to the stewards Chris Addison, David Brown, Chris Martindale, Meirion Jones, Gavin Doyle and Ron Loftus who kept everything flowing smoothly and no gaps between classes, well done lads!  Also to all exhibitors for putting forward good animals and those of you who didn’t get in the frame, don’t be dejected, as without those down the line there would be no winners.

Congratulations on coming reserve in the Burke Trophy and group of five.