Judging line-up announced for 177th Royal Highland Show

Organisers of the Royal Highland Show, one of Europe's biggest celebrations of farming, food and rural life, have announced the much-anticipated judges list for the 2017 event.
Judging at last year's Royal Highland ShowJudging at last year's Royal Highland Show
Judging at last year's Royal Highland Show

The task of placing around 7000 head of the country’s top cattle, sheep, horses, goats and poultry will be in the hands of 44 judges from Scotland, 48 from England, nine from Wales, six from Northern Ireland, two from the Republic of Ireland and one international judge from Canada.

In the beef cattle rings, there will be three men in charge of the beef interbreeds who are more than equipped for the task in hand. Jack Ramsay, a Shorthorn man, will be running his practiced eye over the Native Breed teams, and Michael Robson, known for his family’s Simmentals, which regularly sell successfully at the Stirling Bull Sales, will place the Beef Breeder and Junior Inter Breed Champions. Archie McGregor of Allanfauld, the 2015 recipient of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland’s (RHASS) Sir William Young Award, will need no introduction to anyone when he places the Overall Interbreed animal and Inter Breed teams.

For the World Angus Forum, the two men in the hot seats come from opposite ends of the UK and are perhaps better known for their connection to the Limousin or Commercial Cattle worlds. Michael Alford of Foxhill, Devon will have no difficulty cracking on with the male sections and Harry Emslie of Emslies, in Mintlaw, North East Aberdeenshire, will be certain to pick the cream of the crop in the females.

Judging at last year's Royal Highland ShowJudging at last year's Royal Highland Show
Judging at last year's Royal Highland Show

In the sheep section, two former chairmen of the RHASS will be putting their credentials to good use. William Sanderson of Blackshiels, Pathhead will award the sash to the Overall Inter Breed Champion, while John Dykes of South Slipperfield, West Linton will assess which of the breed pairs merit the top slot in the Overall Sheep Pairs Inter-Breed Championship. John will be returning for the Heavy Horse sections where he will also be placing the Female Highland Ponies In Hand.

In the dairy rings, judging duties will be down to six judges from England, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Mr Ashley Fleming of Potterwalls Jerseys in Downpatrick, Co Down, will have the job of placing the hard fought Overall Dairy Champion.

All classes will be judged by some of the most experienced and well-respected individuals in the equine industry, including another former RHASS director, Helen Goldie. Helen, who was chief steward of the Light Horse section for many years, will pick the prestigious winner of the Horse of the Year Show Cuddy in Hand Qualifier. In the Hunter section, two women who are also regular Show exhibitors will play key roles. Lesley Webb from Orchard Cottage Stables, Comber, Co Down, who is also known in the eventing world, will assess the Weights and Small Hunters on the ride. The other is Rosemary Hetherington, who attends the show each year with her Sculpture to Wear Equestrian Jewellery. Rosemary will evaluate the conformation of the Novice Hunters.

The 2017 Heavy Horse judging line up will be an all Scottish affair. Eight individuals hailing from various parts of Scotland will place the champions in this popular section of the show, which features some of the world’s best examples of our native breeds. Cameron Ormiston from Balmoral, of the well-known Ormiston dynasty, will choose the Sanderson Trophy for Overall Heavy Horse. Wes Gordeyko of Willow Way Clydesdales, Alberta, Canada, will finally make it to the show to judge the spectacle that is the Heavy Horse Turnouts. Wes, an award winning Clydesdale breeder and two times recipient of Best in Show at the Calgary Stampede’s Heavy Horse Show, was due to judge in 2015 but unable to attend.

Judging at last year's Royal Highland ShowJudging at last year's Royal Highland Show
Judging at last year's Royal Highland Show

The main lists for sheep, beef and dairy cattle, goats, light and heavy horses, turnouts and grooming are attached and below.

Proudly supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the 177th Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, on 22-25 June 2017

For more information on the Royal Highland Show click on: www.royahighlandshow.co.uk.

LIST OF JUDGES

Judging at last year's Royal Highland ShowJudging at last year's Royal Highland Show
Judging at last year's Royal Highland Show

BEEF CATTLE

Beef Native Breeds Inter Breed Team Championship

Mr Jack Ramsay, Millerston Farm, Mauchline, Ayrshire

Beef Breeder Competition and Junior Beef Inter Breed Championship

Judging at last year's Royal Highland ShowJudging at last year's Royal Highland Show
Judging at last year's Royal Highland Show

Mr Michael Robson, Ballyclare, Co Antrim

Beef Inter Breed Team Competition and Overall Beef Inter-Breed Championship

Mr Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, Glasgow

Beef Inter-Breed Pairs Competition

Mr Sam Coleman, Glarryford, Ballymena, Co Antrim

Young Handlers

Mrs Carol Rettie, By Alloa, Clackmannan

Beef Shorthorn

Mr M Holmes, Beckbury, Shifnal, Shropshire

Aberdeen Angus

Male

Mr Michael Alford, Foxhill Farm, Blackborough, Cullompton, Devon

Females

Mr Harry Emslie, Kinknockie, Mintlaw, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire

Galloway

Mr Andrew McConchie, Stryde Cottage, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway

Belted Galloway

Mrs Muriel Johnston MBE, Courthill, Crocketford, Dumfries and Galloway

Highland

Mr William MacLean, Inverglen, Barcaldine, Oban, Argyll

Hereford

Mr Alistair Smith, Upton, Newark, Nottinghamshire

British Charolais

Mr Charlie MacLean, Mortimers Farm, Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, Hampshire

British Simmental

Mr Michael Barlow, Four Oaks, Ulnes Walton Lane, Nr Leyland, Lancashire

British Limousin

Mr Gary Swindlehurst, Procters Farm, Woodhouse Lane, Slaidburn, Clitheroe, Lancashire

British Blonde

Mr Andrew Bailey, Low Swinton House, Low Swinton, Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire

British Blue

Mrs Gail Ellis, Trevarrack, Leland, St Ives, Cornwall

Salers

Mr Richard Tudor, Llysun, Llanerfyl, Welshpool, Powys

Commercial Cattle

Mr Donald Morrison, Cairn Nulla, Burnside, Kinlochbervie, Sutherland

DAIRY CATTLE

Overall Dairy

Mr Ashley Fleming, Seaforde, Downpatrick, Co Down

Ayrshire and British Red and White

Ms Lisa Window-Walker, Horsepool Farm, Bromsgrove Road, Hunnington, Halesowen

Holstein

Mr Andrew Dennison, Denmire Holsteins, Scales Park Farm, Scales, Aldingham, nr Ulverston, Cumbria

Jersey

Mr James Strachan, Rendham Hall, Rendham, Suffolk

Dairy Shorthorn

Mr James Lambe, Formill, Shantonagh, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, Eire

Dairy Calf and Showmanship

Mrs Jessica Hassall, Tilston, Malpas, Cheshire

SHEEP

Overall Sheep Inter Breed Championship

Mr William Sanderson, Blackshiels Farm, Blackshiels, Pathhead, Midlothian

Overall Sheep Pairs Inter-Breed Championship and Young Handlers Classes

Mr John Dykes, Mendick Lea, West Linton, Peeblesshire

Suffolk

Mr Myfr Evans (Rhaeadr Flock), Tan-yr-accar, Llanrhaeadr, Denbigh, Denbighshire

North Country Cheviot

Mr Tommy Matthewson, Sunnyside, Soutra, Blackshiels, Pathhead, Midlothian

Blackface

Mr Ian Campbell, Langhaugh, Kirkton Manor, Peebles, Peeblesshire

Lleyn

Dr Dai Morris, Yr Ostrey, St Clears, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire

Ryeland

Mr R Aitken, Beech Cottage, Newton of Fetternear, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

Commercial Sheep

Mr Malcolm Stewart, Brotherstone Farm, Melrose, Roxburghshire

Border Leicester

Mr Jim Brown, Eildon Cottage, Mindrum Mill, Mindrum, Northumberland

British Berrichon

Mr J Yeo, Incledon Farm, Georgeham, Braunton, Devon

Jacob

Mr D W Harries, Wenant, Hope Farm, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

North Country Cheviot Hill

Mr Alan Hutcheon, Hartside Farm, Powburn, Alnwick, Northumberland

Cheviot

Mr Walter Douglas, Carlenrig Farm, Teviothead, Hawick, Roxburghshire

Texel

Mr I P Jones, Bryn Clochydd, Llangwm, Corwen, Denbighshire

Hampshire Down

Philip Kettle, Stainby, Grantham, Lincolnshire

Swaledale

Mr Randal Raine, Outhwaite Farm, Renwick, Penrith, Cumbria

Bluefaced Leicester - Traditional Type

Mr Andrew Hewson, Burgh Head Farm, Burgh by Sands, Carlisle, Cumbria

Bluefaced Leicester - Coloured Type

Mr Derek Hall, Upperfirth Farm, Penicuik, Midlothian

Charollais

Mr David Mawhinney, Newtonards, Co Down

Hebridean

Mr Peter Titley, Outlane, Waltonhurst Lane, Eccles Hall, Stafford, Staffordshire

North of England Mules

Mr Joe Vickers, Rennington South, Alnwick, Northumberland

British Rouge

Mr John Tough, Easterseat Farm, Yieldshields, Carluke, South Lanarkshire

Beltex

Mrs Elizabeth McAlister, Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Zwartbles

Mr Aneirin Francis, Pistyll Uchaf, Abergorlech, Carmarthen

Scotch Mule

Mr John Park, Dalpeddar, Mennock, Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway

Bleu Du Maine

Mrs Sue McInnes Skinner, Deopham, Wymondham, Norfolk

Shetland

Mr Alistair Wilson, Summerside Farm, Newmains, Wishaw, Lanarkshire

GOATS

Dairy Goats, Kids, Milking and Boer Goats

Mr Tim Garry, Modbury Farm, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, Dorset

LIGHT HORSES

Hunter in Hand and Hunters Under Saddle - Weights and Small (conf) (HOYS)

Miss D Atkinson, Moulton, Newmarket, Suffolk

Hunters Under Saddle - Weights and Small (ride) (HOYS)

Ms L A Webb, Comber, Co Down

Hunters Under Saddle - Working Hunters (ride) (HOYS)

Miss J Bradbury, Potters Pasture, Ballinclare, Wicklow, Eire

Hunters Under Saddle - Working Hunters (conf) (HOYS) and Side Saddle (HOYS) (conf)

Mrs J Gilchrist, Romanno Stud, Strathbogie Farm, Elsrickle, Lanarkshire

Ladies Side Saddle (HOYS) (ride)

TBC

Hunters Under Saddle - Novice Hunters (ride)

Mrs Jane Hunter, Broachrigg Farm, Rosewell, Midlothian

Hunters Under Saddle - Novice Hunters (conf)

Mrs R Hetherington, Crow Corner Cottage, Grove Terrace, North Yorkshire

Sports Horse in Hand

Mrs Hazel England, Hilton House, Methven, Perth, Perthshire

Retraining of Racehorse Final

Ride

Mr William Goldie, Barnford, Dalrymple, Ayr, Ayrshire

Conformation

Nick Alexander, Kinneston, Leslie, Glenrothes, Fife

Highland Ponies Under Saddle (ride)

Miss Marjorie J Grant, Scone, Perth, Perthshire

Highland Ponies Under Saddle (conf)

Ms Mary McCall-Smith, Connachan, Crieff, Perthshire

Welsh Mountain Ponies (Section A)

Mr S F Franklin, Forces Farm, Butterleigh, Cullompton, Devon

Welsh Ponies (Section B)

Mrs K E Cheetham, Harrop Brow Farm, Shrigley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire

Welsh Ponies Cob Type (Section C) & Welsh Cobs (Section D)

Mrs A Squires, Oak Hollow, Watling Street, Four Crosses, Cannock, Staffordshire

Mountain and Moorland Ponies in Hand

Mr M Jones, Llantarnam, Cwmbran, Gwent

Connemara

Mrs B McGrath, Dunsany Terrace, Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street, Durham

Eriskay Ponies

Mrs P Stirling, South Blainslie, Galashiels, Scottish Borders

Riding Pony and Hunter Pony Breeding

Mr A Perkins, Warleigh, Bath, Somerset

Riding Horses (HOYS) and Novice Riding Horses

Ride

Mrs A Varley, Hillside Farm, Headon, Retford, Nottinghamshire

Conformation

Mrs Jennifer Williams, Winslow, Buckinghamshire

Arabs Anglo Arabs and Part Bred in Hand

Dr Bancroft, Water Farm, Raydon, Ipswich, Suffolk

Arabs Anglo Arabs and Part Bred Arabs Under Saddle

Mrs Stephanie Zebedee, Verwood, Dorset

St Johns Wells Trophy

Mr David Blair, Waxwing Stud, Balgonar, Saline, Fife

Mountain and Moorland in Hand Overall (Waxwing Trophy)

J G Berry, Can-Y-r Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed, Gwynedd

HOYS Cuddy Breeder Supreme in Hand Championship Qualifier

Mrs H Goldie, Harpercroft, Old Loans Road, Dundonald, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire

Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Ponies (HOYS)

Jumping

Miss M G Evans, Cedars, Sudbury Road, Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk

Conformation

Mr M Fry, Sunnyside, Newbridge Village, Cadnam, Southampton, Hampshire

Side Saddle

Miss L Lane, Wall Nooks Grove, Wall Nook Lane Cumberworth, Huddersfield Yorkshire

Show Hunter Ponies and Show Hunter Pony Lead Rein and First Ridden (HOYS) (conf)

Mrs Nicola Turner, Hillcroft House, Wheatlow Brooks, Milwich, Staffordshire.

Show Hunter Ponies and Show Hunter Pony Lead Rein and First Ridden (HOYS) (ride)

Mrs Maggie Inglis, Bogside Cottage, Edzell, Angus

Show Ponies and Show Pony Lead Rein and First Ridden

Mr J Lloyd, Diggle, Oldham, W Yorkshire

Mountain and Moorland Lead Rein and First Ridden (HOYS)

Conformation

Mr R Sutcliffe, Darwen, Lancashire

Ride

Mrs Jennifer Williams, Pendely Stud, Glebe Farm, Verney Road, Winslow, Buckinghamshire

Donkeys in Hand

Ms S Prior, Emneth House, Fendyke, Outwell, Norfolk

Working Hunter Ponies (HOYS)

Jumping

Mrs R Young OBE, Inveran Lodge, Seafield Street, Nairn, Morayshire

Conformation

Mrs F Stewart, Rannoch, Hill of Tarvit Mains, Cupar, Fife

HOYS Part-Bred Ridden

Performance

Mr A Perkins, The Cart House, Sheephouse Farm, Warleigh, Bath, Somerset

Ride

Mr M R Jones, Llantarnam, Cwmbran, Gwent

Mountain and Moorland Ponies Under Saddle (HOYS)

Fell, Dales, Highland, Connemara, Welsh Section D (conf)

Mrs Marguerite Osborne, Kinclune, Kirriemuir, Angus

Fell, Dales, Highland, Connemara, Welsh Section D (ride)

Miss K Wainwright, Skellorn Stud, Lockgate Farm, Wood Lane East, Adlington, Cheshire

Welsh Section C, B and A, New Forest, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland (conf)

Mr R Hunt, Bottom Farm, Beacon Hill, Penn, Buckinghamshire

Welsh Section C, B and A, New Forest, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland (ride)

Mrs L Ahmet, c/o Aquilas Stud, Summerfield Farm, Borough Green Road, Inghtham, New Sevenoaks, Kent

Coloured Horses and Ponies Under Saddle (HOYS)

Ride

Mrs Tracey Brooks, Cocklea, Old Hutton, Kendal, Cumbria

Conformation

Mr Martyn Adams, East Tifty Stud, Fyvie, Turriff, Aberdeenshire

Coloured Horses and Ponies in Hand

Mr Stuart Ashton, Rose Cottage, Ayton Castle, Eyemouth, Berwickshire

HEAVY HORSES

Clydesdales In Hand

Males

Mr John McMillan, Greenan Mill, Rothesay, Bute

Females

Mr George Gray, Broompark, Philipstoun, Linlithgow, West Lothian

Ridden Clydesdales - Ride

Mr David Gatherer, Kilmalcolm, Renfrewshire

Clydesdale Young Handlers and Young Stockmen and Ridden Conformation

Mrs Philippa Merry, Baldovie, by Dundee, Angus

Highland Ponies In Hand

Males

Mrs Jo Jack, Wester Newburn, Leven, Fife

Females

Mr John Dykes, Mendick Lea, West Linton, Peeblesshire

Shetland Ponies In Hand

Mr Kenneth Scott, Braes of Kerryston, Kellas by Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Angus

The Sanderson Trophy

Mr Cameron Ormiston, Gelderside, Balmoral Estate, Ballater, Aberdeenshire

HARNESS, GROOMING, TURNOUTS

Harness, Grooming and Decoration

Mr George Skinner, Strathorn Farm, Pitcaple, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

Working Native Pony In Harness

Mr Steven McDonald, Crol-Na-Keys, Meggernie and Loch Estate, Glenlyon, Aberfeldy, Perthshire

Heavy Horse Turnouts

Mr Wes Gordeyko, Willow Way Clydesdales, Alberta, Canada

PRIVATE DRIVING

Shetland Pony, Highland Pony and Private Driving (HOYS Qualifier)

Mr Roland Connolly, Moat Cottage, Moat Laws, Uckington, Cheltenham, Gloucester