THE best of all breeds were on show in the cattle ring, as all the generations got involved.

Representing the British Blue breed were the Jenkinson team from Alscott, Shebbear, with their ‘Dymond Blue herd’. Their two British Blue female pedigrees — two-year-old ‘Dymond Blue Lsie’ and one and a half year old ‘Dymond Blue Kandy’ — did the team proud when they walked out of the ring as champion in the interbreed pairs. Lsie also received reserve champion in the

individual class.

Stockman, Julie Rooks, took Lsie and Kandy into the ring on owner Nigel and Candy Jenkison’s behalf. She said: “We were all very pleased to come away with champion in the pairs and reserve in the individuals. There was fairly strong competition this year, especially in the interbreed categories — there are a

lot of good cattle out today. It was quite a lot of work to get the cattle ready, yes, it always is, but it’s worth it when you get the win.

“It was raining when we got here, but it cleared up just in time for us to go out and show, which was lucky. This is our local show, so of course we always like to try and come along to support it.”

Show regulars, the Neale family from Boyton, were all getting involved with showing as the younger generation followed in their father’s footsteps to take

on the competition.

James Neale and his brother Chris Neale, along with his two sons, William, aged 12, and Harry, aged 8, were preparing their Limousin cattle for the next event when the Post caught up with them.

James said: “We have had a really good day so far, we got the young bull breed champion and wins in the pairs and reserve interbreed pairs too.

“The young boy [William] had a win with his interbreed beef bullock, which is 14

months old.

“We are very pleased, we are showing the first son of our new stock bull, ‘Appletertion Inferno’. It is his first season out and after that he will be sent up country to be sold in the autumn. Wins like these do help with prices and this is a great opportunity for us to advertise what it is we have got to sell.”

James said: “There has been very stiff competition today as the quality has just been getting better and better every year.”

James’ son William showed his cow ‘Roxy’ in the junior showman dairy calf section and youngest Neale family member, Harry, showed ‘Princess Lydia’.

James said: “I’m glad the boys have followed me into showing, they are both doing the dairy young handlers classes and they seem to really enjoy it.”

Harry confirmed: “I like showing cows.”