The results of the 2025 Flock Competition were announced, as well as celebrating club members’ achievements across the year, with many flocks receiving of cups, trophies and rosettes.
John Harbinson’s Glenkeen Flock was victorious in the 2025 Flock Competition, lifting the Ballycreely Trophy for Overall Champion Flock. The Limavady breeder had great success in the competition winning Champion Small Flock, Best Overall Flock of Ewes, and coming first in the Small Flock Stock Ram, Ram Lamb and Homebred Ram Lamb classes.
Reserve Champion Flock and winner of the Garron Trophy was Elizabeth McAllister, Artnagullion Flock. The Kells-based breeder was also Champion Large Flock and had the Best Overall Stock Ram Lamb, Ardstewart Laddie. Adding to the silverware on the night, Elizabeth also won Reserve Champion Show Flock, representing her success in the past showing season. As well as trophies from the Irish Beltex National Show for Reserve Female Champion and placing first in the Aged Ram, Shearling Ewe and Group of 3 classes.
Reserve Champion Small Flock was awarded to Joshua Keys’ Bolies Flock. Keys also won Best Overall Flock of Ewe Lambs and received the Rumevite Cup for winning the Ewe Lamb class at the Irish Beltex National Show. Reserve Champion Large Flock went to Andrew McCutcheon’s Bodoney Flock. His son, Jaden, was presented with the Ardstewart Cup for winning the Senior Young Handlers class at the National Show.
Reflecting their success across the year, John and Vicky Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, won Champion Show Flock. They also had two seconds and a third in the Flock Competition.
Gary Beacom was presented with an array of trophies and cups highlighting his success at this year’s Irish Beltex National Show, held at Omagh Show in July. As well as Overall Champion, his Lakeview Flock picked up Female Champion, Best Exhibitor Bred, Male Champion and first placed Ram Lamb, Shearling Ram and Aged Ram.
Unsurprisingly, following his resounding success at the National Show, Gary Beacom was also award the Best Novice Show Flock.
The Smyths of Daleside Trophy for the highest priced sheep sold at a Society sale, went to Matthew Burleigh for Matt’s Kracken. A shearling by Todhall Hurricane and out of a homebred ewe, Matt’s Haribo, he was sold for 15,000 gns in a four-way share at Carlisle Premier Sale in August. Matthew’s nieces Hollie and Jessica Burleigh were
recognised for their achievements at the National Show. Hollie picked up the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club Cup for winning the Junior Young Handler class, while Jessica was presented with the inaugural Burleigh Cup, purchased by the Burleigh Family for the winning Pre-School Young Handler.
Other notable successes at the Club Dinner included Cathoir O’Connor and Mark Latimer being acknowledged for their Championship wins at Club Show and Sales throughout the year.
The annual event was a great success, Club Chairman Eddie O’Neill commented: “This year’s dinner was brilliant, it was great to get such a strong turnout and to acknowledge the members whose dedication has advanced the production and promotion of quality Beltex sheep. Thank you to The Valley for the great food and hospitality.”
Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club Flock Competition Results 2025
Competition Judge: Kenny Preston, Glenpark Flock, Omagh
Overall Champion Flock – Ballycreely Trophy: John Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady
Overall Reserve Champion Flock – Garron Trophy: Elizabeth McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells
Champion Large Flock: Elizabeth McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells
Reserve Champion Large Flock: Andrew McCutcheon, Bodoney Flock, Trillick
Champion Small Flock: John Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady
Reserve Champion Small Flock: Joshua Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown
Flock of Ewes Large Flock: 1st A. and J. McCutcheon, Bodoney Flock, Trillick; 2nd E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells; 3rd H. & E. O’Neill, Lagyveagh Flock, Glenarm
Flock of Ewes Small Flock: 1st J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady; 2nd J. Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown; 3rd J & V Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, Comber
Best Overall Flock of Ewes: J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady
Flock of Ewe Lambs Large Flock: 1st H. & E. O’Neill, Lagyveagh Flock, Glenarm; 2nd E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells; 3rd A. and J. McCutcheon, Bodoney Flock, Trillick
Flock of Ewe Lambs Small Flock: 1st J. Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown; 2nd R. Smyton, Tyreeghan Flock, Fivemiletown; 3rd J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady
Best Overall Flock of Ewe Lambs: J. Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown
Stock Ram Large Flock: 1st E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – Glenview Jeff SDG J723; 2nd A. McCutcheon, Bodoney Flock, Trillick – JHK J019; 3rd H. & E. O’Neill, Lagyveagh Flock, Glenarm – H 1425
Stock Ram Small Flock: 1st J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady – Lakeview JFF K066; 2nd R. Smyton, Tyreeghan Flock, Fivemiletown – Glenview Jeff SDG J723
Best Overall Stock Ram: J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady – Lakeview JFF K066
Stock Ram Lamb Large Flock 1st E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – Ardstewart Laddie AST L037; 2nd H. & E. O’Neill, Lagyveagh Flock, Glenarm – Woodview Limited Edition WDV L002; 3rd P. Brolly, Munreary Flock – Hillview Lionheart
Stock Ram Lamb Small Flock: 1st J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady; 2nd J. & V. Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, Comber; 3rd J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady
Best Overall Stock Ram Lamb:
E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – Ardstewart Laddie
Homebred Ram Lamb Large Flock: 1st E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – LIZ L051; 2nd P. Brolly, Munreary Flock – PLJ L003; 3rd E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – LIZ L051
Homebred Ram Lamb Small Flock: 1st J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady – FHG L025; 2nd J. & V. Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, Comber – VIC L054; rd J. Keys, Bolies Flock, L018
Best Overall Homebred Ram Lamb:
J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady – FHG L025
Champion Show Flock Cup: John and Victoria Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, Comber
Reserve Champion Show Flock: Elizabeth McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells
Best Novice Flock: Gary Beacom, Lakeview Flock, Fivemiletown
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Kenny Preston with Elizabeth McAllister who received the Garron Trophy for Overall Reserve Champion Flock Photo: freelance
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Club Chairman Eddie O’Neill presenting John and Vicky Ferguson with Champion Show Flock Photo: freelance
