THERE was some excellent competition in the cattle rings this year, with a number of breeds represented.

An old hand in the showing ring, Barnaby Bridgman from Shebbear was pleased to be able to show his own bull, having dedicated his life to showing other people’s livestock.

Barnaby won commercial champion with his one-year-old Limousin x, Rock the Boat. Barnaby said: “He is a cross breed, April born, about 16 months old so getting on now. There was good competition in the ring with lots of people entering — so it was anyone’s guess in the championship who the judges would choose, but I’m delighted to have been able to win with one of my own.”

Barnaby is a freelance show hand, and travels the country showing cattle for other people. He said the day had been special for him as it was the first time in a while he had been able to show his own, home reared cattle: “I freelance all over the country and show other people’s cattle so it is nice to be able to show my own for once. This is my local show so I think you’ve got to come out to it — support your local show and all that!

“My life is cattle, non stop — you have to be mad to do it but I love it.”

Twelve-year-old Thomas Petherick from Kilkhampton is also an old hand in the ring these days, having started his showing career at the age of seven. The Post caught up with him after his win in the dairy youngstock, calf under the age of 12 months category with his Holstein calf Alder Combe Tulip 30th. Thomas said: “I’m pleased I won the young handler competition as there was some pretty hard competition in there.”

When asked why he shows Thomas said: “It’s something to do, isn’t it?”

His father, Richard added: “He’s been competing since he was seven. His sister has horses and shows them so we thought it would be good for him to join in. We breed Holsteins on the farm and he raised this one himself.”

Thomas said it took a lot of preparation to get a calf like his ready for the show: “You have to clip them, wash them, paint and chalk them up — it takes quite a long time. But it’s all worth it, I’ve had a couple seconds and a reserve champion and now this first place win.”

Thomas has big aspirations for the future, adding: “I’m hoping today to qualify for Nationals!”

Keep an eye out for Thomas, he is a star on the rise in the cattle rings.