Young Handlers on top form at the 5th annual Four Breeds Calf Show

Now in its 5th consecutive year this show is growing from strength to strength. This annual show is made up between the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders Club, The NI Blonde Cattle Club, The NI Salers Cattle Club and the NI British Blue Cattle Club.

Each breed has their own respective breed calf classes, with an interbreed young handlers event taking place for the grand finale between the four breeds.

James Morrison, from Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh had the difficult job of judging all three classes of the young handler’s competition, which is getting stronger year on year.

James, no stranger to the show ring, has a long list of attributes on his CV with his most recent achievement being on the British and Irish team at the World Angus Youth Competition in Australia which he had the opportunity of being captain. James started his own showing career back in 2014 competing in young handlers and has gained a lot of knowledge and expertise over the years.

Coming out on top in the junior section age between 8 – 12 was Thomas McCann with his British Blue calf. Eleven-year-old Thomas has a great interest in the British Blue breed and is especially into his genetics dams/sires and grandsires and AI bulls in catalogues. It’s great to see this interest in such a young man. Thomas farms at home with his father Oliver in Co Down where they keep a commercial suckler herd and a pedigree blue herd. Thomas is always out helping his father working at the cattle and especially grooming and preparing the show cattle where he takes a lot of pride in.

Coming in a close second and previous winner back in 2024 of the Countryside Services shield was Lewis Dodd with his Simmental calf from the Craigy herd Saintfield, Co Down. A close third was given to Fintan Kelly from Tempo, Co Fermanagh with his Simmental bull calf Ashland Silvester. Fintan farms at home with his father Frank under the Ashland prefix of pedigree Simmentals and they also milk cows too.

Caitlin McGartland, runner up last year, pushed out all the stops this year with her Blonde bull calf under the Dumnafern prefix to win the prestigious intermediate young handlers shield, also sponsored kindly by Countryside Services, Moy Road, Dungannon. Caitlin is a regular exhibitor at all the local shows including Balmoral Show with her father Brian based in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

Rhys Rodgers, Portglenone claimed second prize in the intermediate section, close behind Caitlin with his Simmental heifer Hiltonstown Sadie, which also won her class in a strong line-up in the Simmental section. Rhys farms at home with his father Richard and has had a strong year winning the Young Handlers at the NI Simmental National Show in Clogher this year and going on to win Young Stock person of the year award and also coming joint first in the NI Simmental club’s stock judging competition with Jamie Dodd.

Past winner back in 2024 Jamie Dodd come a very close third in this year’s competition with his homebred Simmental bull calf Craigy Ranger. Back in August Jamie won the best under 16 shield at the Simmental Young members weekend in Scotland beating stiff competition from across the UK.

Grace Elwood from Crossgar, Co Down won the Senior class on the day tapped out by young handlers judge James Morrison with her British Blue calf Bethel Victor who went on to win Overall Blue calf champion. Grace has had a super year in the showring with her British Blues winning many prizes. Grace’s father Paul has been a great supporter and sponsor to the Four Breed Calf show since it began by providing generous HVS Animal Health vouchers to winners in each breed.

Coming in at a very close second in the senior young handler class was Harry Givan from Lurgan with his Simmental calf. Harry made it to the finals at this years Aberdeen Angus Youth Development programme back in October in Aberdeenshire.

The Four Breed Calf show would once again like to thank Countryside Services, Moy, Dungannon for their continued support to this ever-growing event, by sponsoring all three young handler classes, it’s much appreciated.

Young handler results

Junior 8 -12 years old: 1. Thomas McCann; 2. Lewis Dodd; 3. Fintan Kelly

Intermediate 13 – 16 years old: 1. Caitlin McGartland; 2. Rhys Rodgers; 3. Jamie Dodd

Senior 17-19 years old: 1. Grace Elwood; 2. Harry Givan

The Four Breed Calf show would like to thank Ballymena Livestock Market for hosting this event and to all the sponsors, organizers, exhibitors and photographers it’s a credit to you all!

The Four Breed Calf Show is already preparing for next year’s event which is set to take place at Ballymena Livestock Market on Saturday, 28th November 2026. Keep an eye out for more press on the lead up to this prestigious event.