Firstly, we would like to give a special thank you to Showtime for their fantastic sponsorship, which played a key role in making this event a huge success.
Over the year, YDP candidates from ages 8-24yrs have been taking part in workshops across the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland, all hoping to get the chance to qualify for the finals, a weekend event that this year was held at Thurles Mart, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Friday the 27th of September saw all of these successful candidates travel from far and wide across to Ireland, to get ready for the big competition day.
As Saturday morning came around the competitors dressed in their white shirts and black gilets, kindly sponsored by Showtime, and with their Aberdeen-Angus ties got ready for a full-on day of competition. The bus arrived and everyone headed out to Thurles Mart who kindly hosted the event. Cattle had been provided by many different breeders from around Ireland and a huge thank you must go to them for having exceptionally quiet cattle that made the running of the day go so smoothly. The coordinators Niall, Steph and Kim got everyone split up into their groups for the day and the competition got underway. Seniors started off with their panel interviews where they were asked questions by our able judges, Ewen Campbell, John Tait, and Rob Wills about themselves, the breed, the industry and much more. Juniors headed over to the clipping crates, which was kindly judged by Leo McEnroe followed by dressing judged by Callum Innes. Leo and Callum were given a difficult task with the standard of these youngsters being so high, sometimes only half points separating winners. They were fabulous judges and gave great feedback to the competitors on the day, which was admired by everyone, even some parents were taking notes! In the groups they had been put in to, half of the Intermediates headed over to Maddie Clarke, our stockjudging judge for the day. There was a class of 4 red heifers brought out for this and Maddie, who has an abundance of stockjudging knowledge behind her placed the class, before then taking reasons from all competitors. Later in the evening Maddie gave us her reasons publicly for why she placed this class how she did, and no one could argue with her, they were outstanding. The other half of the Intermediate group headed over to ringcraft where we found our judges in David and Susan Johnston, they are no stranger to the show ring having led many champions at their Ballindalloch herd. Here the competitors had to change halters ready for the show ring, swap animals and show off their best showmanship skills.
Also, ongoing throughout the day was an AI talk from Kim Brown which was a real hit with not only competitors but also parents. Along with a talk from council member Seonaid McLaren on Angus from around the world, hopefully giving everyone some ideas of where they would like to visit if they ever win the senior section. Intermediate competitors also had a 5-minute presentation to do on the benefits of Aberdeen-Angus in sustainable beef production, which the panel judges judged. It was great to get such lovely feedback from all of the judges on the day saying that the future of the industry is in safe hands and all competitors were a credit to themselves. Thank you to all judges who took the time to travel to the event and be a part of our weekend.
After the day wrapped up, we all headed back to the hotel in preparation for the presentation dinner where the much-awaited results would be announced. The strong competition showed in the results with some sections being very close. The results are as follows;
Juniors
Clipping
1st Adam Minehane
2nd Cameron Barclay
3rd Adam Kearney
Dressing
1st Cameron Barclay
2nd Adam Kearney
3rd Aine Sullivan
Ringcraft
1st Cameron Barclay
2nd Jess Williams
3rd Harriet Parkinson
Stockjudging
1st Fletcher Russell
2nd Cameron Barclay
3rd Adam Kearney
Overall Winner
1st Cameron Barclay
2nd Adam Kearney
3rd Fletcher Russell
Intermediates
Clipping
1st Eoin Robinson
2nd Grant Rhind and Cliodhna Smith
3rd Veronica Webster and Ruby Simpson
Dressing
1st Veronica Webster
2nd Daniel Willis
3rd Cliodhna Smith
Ringcraft
1st Grant Rhind and Finlay Hunter
2nd Gregor Milne
3rd Eoin Robinson
Stockjudging
1st Gregor Milne
2nd Finlay Hunter and Eoin Robinson
3rd Grant Rhind
Presentation
1st Eoin Robinson
2nd Cliodhna Smith
3rd Olivia Heath
Overall Winner
1st Eoin Robinson
2nd Grant Rhind
3rd Gregor Milne
Seniors
Clipping
1st Conor Craig and John Smyth
2nd James Morrison
3rd Sam Matchet
Dressing
1st John Smyth
2nd James Morrison
3rd Katie Meston
Ringcraft
1st Conor Craig
2nd John Smyth and James Morrison
3rd Sam Matchett
Stockjudging
1st James Morrison
2nd Sam Matchett
3rd Conor Craig
Panel interview
1st John Smyth
2nd Conor Craig
3rd James Morrison
Overall Winner
1st John Smyth
2nd James Morrison
3rd Conor Craig
Loydd shield presented by Neil Loydd for the best overall clipper in the day:
Conor Craig
Well done to everyone who took part, and our Overall Senior winner John Smyth, we look forward to hearing where you will travel to. We would like to thank the IAAA for their help and support in organising this event along with all of the stewards and helpers on the day, judges, AACS, Catherine MacGregor, Showtime, along with all our parents and competitors! Time to start planning for next year now!
