Dexters return to the Clogher Valley Show

THE 102nd Clogher Valley Show rounded off the end to a packed summer show season for local Dexter exhibitors.

Held on the outskirts of Augher town, within the Clogher Valley, the one-day show is famed as being one of the best in Northern Ireland. After a few years absence, classes for the Dexter breed returned with a large entry of cattle on display.

Judge on the occasion was well-known Dexter breeder Mike Frazer from Templepatrick, who was very impressed with the quality of cattle on show. The first class of cows born before 2020 saw Friary Olga from the McAreavey family in top position, followed by Frith Camelia from the Bloomer family in second place.

A good show of heifers put Mike through his paces, selecting Derryola April from Tess Daly as his first place animal. Ballinderry Crumble from Lester’s Pedigrees was in second position followed by Derryola Alison from Ryan Lavery in third place.

Moving on to the bull over 12 months class saw local exhibitors the Bloomer family place first with Northbrook Atlas. He was followed in second position by Ballyhartfield Beaumont, a promising young bull from the McAreavey family.

A large entry of both bulls and heifers in the calf class did not make decisions any easier for Mike, who placed Derryola Frankie from Ryan Lavery top of the line-up.

She was followed by Coolkill Diamond, a sweet homebred heifer from Tess Daly, with Cadian Jimmy from the Bloomer family in third position.

It was the homebred combination of Derryola Clover and Alison which brought home the red rosette in the Pairs class for Ryan Lavery, closely followed by two magnificent red cows with calves at foot from the Bloomer family.

In the Young Handlers section sibling rivalry saw Sarah Jane Lester claim first prize with her younger sister Lily in close second position in the under 12 year old class.

A large class of 12-18 year old Dexter breeders saw fierce competition with Mike awarding first prize to Grace Bloomer, followed by Peter McAreavy in second and Jayne Bloomer in third.

Finally it came down to the Championship which saw Mike tap out Friary Olga from the McAreavey family as his Champion, with Northbrook Atlas from the Bloomer family in Reserve.

In the afternoon Sarah Jane Lester, along with her heifer Ballinderry Crumble, showcased the Dexter breed in the Interbreed Heifer Championship Derby having qualified earlier in the show season. Despite not claiming the Championship she was awarded first prize for the ‘cutest entry’ from judge James Little.

The NI Dexter Cattle Group would like to thank the Clogher Valley Agricultural Association for facilitating classes at this year’s event and for the Hungry Goat Restaurant for sponsoring the classes.