Hamill and Rea in the prizes at finals

Flying the flag for Ireland and Northern Ireland were David Rea, Catherine Smyth, Kirsty Manderson, Thomas Blackburn, Andrew Hamill and James Morrison.

Yet again this was a close fought competition in all three age categories, with judges giving particular praise to the younger end of the competitors.

Taking place at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, some 35 finalists gathered from across the UK and Ireland for a series of morning workshops and seminars.

The afternoon saw the competitive end of the weekend as the juniors, intermediates and seniors who had qualified from workshops held in the summer excelled in areas such as stock judging, clipping and dressing and ring craft.

David Rea receives his prize card for coming first in the intermediate ring craft and showmanship class from AACS CEO Johnny Mackey.

The senior finalists, who were all competing for the chance of a world Aberdeen-Angus study trip of their choosing, also took part in a panel interview.

Andrew Hamill, Holywood, Co Down, came a credible third in the junior stock judging section of the competition, as well as first in an incredibly competitive ring craft and showmanship class. Meanwhile, taking high placings in the intermediate section was Lisburn-based David Rea, who took second in the stock judging and first in the ring craft and showmanship.