THE gate was up 25 per cent at the Biggar Show on Saturday, as people from across the region turned up to the Showground for the annual agricultural event, writes Callum Hodgson.

Organisers described the day as “comparable with the Highland Show” as Borderers took part in the many competitions and browsed the stalls.

President of the show Callum Wight said: “We are very pleased with how the show went and we were very fortunate with the weather which was good. We were also pleased because the gate was up 25 per cent.

“Everybody was delighted because I would say the show was on par with 2011 and that was a great show. It was comparable with the Highland Show,” he added.

“The car park was overflowing by 11.30am. All we can ask for is a full place and a dry day and that makes all the difference.

The show kicked off at 8am and began with the judging of the horses and Shetland sheep. More than 30 Clydesdale horses were judged, the most on record. There was even a dog show.

But the day wasn’t all about judging, visitors were treated to highland dancing throughout the day and children took part in the junior Olympics, sack races and tug-of-war competition.

And Callum believes the atmosphere was all down to those who bought a ticket on the day.

He added: “It’s great because people from Biggar always show up.

“They really get it and they all love it.

“It has been a massive show this year. And the fact we had more than 30 Clydesdale horses, the most we have had for many years, was a great spectacle.

“The Highland dancing went on all day and we had record numbers for that too. There was also 425 people at the speed sheering competition, which was great.”

The president also stressed the importance of the events for children, to get them involved throughout the day and said the committee would always be looking to freshen the event up for next year.

“We had the tug of war, sack races and the kids Olympics, so there was so much going on for the kids,” he said.

“But one thing we might look at is having some professional entertainment at the show next, because it would take the pressure off the committee.

“And sometimes it’s nice just to freshen it up. We’re always trying to improve and do something different.”

Champion of Champions: Katie Parker, Show Pony CATTLE Dairy Cattle Class 1 Quey: A Laird Blyth, Class 3 Heifer in Milk: A Laird Blyth, Class 5 Cow in Milk: A Laird Blyth, Class 6 Cow in Calf Dry: Lawrie Grangehall, Class 7 Pair, any age: D Laird Murray Farm. Champion (The Wintermuir Cup): A Laird Blyth.

Reserve Champion: A Laird Blyth.

Pure Charolais Cattle Class 9 Bull: Forrest Hillend Farm Roberton, Class 11 Heifer in Calf or with Calf at foot: Forrest Hillend Farm Roberton, Class 12 Eild Heifer: J Wight Townfoot Symington.

Champion (Grayhouse Cup): A & JJ Forrest Hillend Farm Roberton.

Reserve Champion: A & JJ Forrest Hillend Farm Roberton. Opposite Sex : A & JJ Forrest Hillend Farm Roberton.

Limousin Cattle Class 14 Bull, any age: N Cruickshank Cowford, Class 15 Bull, Ian Nimmo Bogside, Class 16 Cow in Calf or Calf at Foot: Jamie Smith Greentowers, Class19 Calf born after August 1, 2015: Ian Nimmo Bogside.

Champion (Lawrie & Symington Trophy): N Cruickshank Cowford. Reserve Champion: Ian Nimmo Bogside.

Simmental Cattle Class 22 Heifer in Calf or Calf at Foot: J Wightman Coxhill Farm Champion: J Wightman Coxhill Farm.

Belgian Blue Cattle Class 25 Bull, any age: A & CS Comrie Stonebyres, Class 26 Cow in Calf or with Calf at foot: R & J Watret Muirfield, Class 27 Heifer in Calf or with Calf at foot: J Devine & M Hill Hillend Roberton, Class 28 Eild Heifer: A & CS Comrie Stonebyres, Class 29 Calf, born after August 1, 2015: Ian McGarva Nether Abington.

Champion (Tait of Broachrigg Perpetual Rosebowl): A & CS Comrie Stonebyres.

Reserve Champion: R & J Watret Highland Cattle Class 30 Bull, any age: C Cuthbertson Peebles, Class 31 Cow in Calf or in milk, born before January 1 2013: A & M Fitzsimon Tregallon Farm, Class 32 Heifer, born in 2013: Glasgow Park, Class 33 Heifer born in 2014: Glasgow Park, Class 34 Heifer born in 2015: C Cuthbertson Peebles, Class 35 Calf, born after August 1 2015: A & M Fitzsimon Tregallon Farm.

Champion (The Hyndford Plant Perpetual Cup & Rosette): Glasgow City Parks.

Reserve Champion: Glasgow City Parks Beef Cow with Calf Class 37 Cow with SpringBorn Native Bull Calf: A Mitchell & Son Newton of Wiston, Class 37a Cow with SpringBorn Native Hfr Calf: A Mitchell & Son Newton of Wiston, Class 38 Cow with spring born bull calf: J Warnock & Sons Dreva, Class 39 Cow with spring born heifer calf: A & JJ Forrest Hillend.

Champion (The Bruce Rosebowl): A & JJ Forrest Hillend Reserve: J Warnock & Sons Dreva Group in Field: A Minto & Son Townhead Prime Cattle Class 40 Bullock: Ian Nimmo Bogside, Split Gregor Watret, Class 41 Heifer, any age: G Scott, Gateside Champion (Clydesmuir Perpetual Trophy): Gillian Scott, Gateside Reserve Champion: Ian Nimmo Bogside Any Other Bred Class 42 Bull: W & I McGregor Chesterhall Parks, Class 44 Heifer in Calf or with Calf at foot: J Laird Cauldcoats Farm, Class 45 Eild Heifer: K Dunlop Hillhead Auchengray, Class 46 Calf Born after August 1, 2015: D Baillie Calla Champion: W & I McGregor Chesterhall Parks.

Reserve: K Dunlop Hillhead Auchengray.

Class 47 Duncan Robertson Memorial Award: Julie Wight Townfoot. HORSES Clydesdale Breed Class 49 Mare with Foal at foot: J Steel Jackton E Kilbride, Class 50 Foal: J Kennedy Hillhouse, Perpetual Trophy Presented by Allan & Agnes Jackson (Boat Stud) for Best Foal of Clydesdale Breed: J Kennedy Hillhouse, Class 51 Yeld Mare, three years old and upwards: Lamb & Farley Fullwood Farm, Class 52 Filly, two years old: Agnes Jackson Covington Mill, Class 53 Filly, one year old: T Tennant Gilmanschleuch, Best Yearling Filly of the Clydesdale Breed: T Tennant Gilmanscleuch, Best Female Animal of the Clydesdale Breed: T Tennant Gilmanscleuch, Reserve J McMillan & Family Greenan Mill.

Best Female Animal of the Clydesdale Breed (John Hamilton, Nisbet, Memorial Prize): T Tennant Gilmanscleuch Reserve: J McMillan & Family Greenan Mill Class 54a Gelding one year old and upwards: Annette Noble Peggyslea.

Best Male Animal of the Clydesdale Breed (Rob Roy McGregor Perpetual Trophy): Annette Noble Peggyslea Reserve: J Tennant Braehead Champion Clydesdale Breed (Hugh Morrison Perpetual Challenge Trophy): T Tennant Gilmanscleuch.

Reserve: J McMillan & Family Greenan Mill Hunters (open) Class 57 Working Hunter : Caz Mosley Jack, Class 58 Hunter, exceeding 15.2 hands, shown under saddle: Caz Mosley Jack, Class 59 Small Hunter, 14.2 hands and not exceeding 15.2 hands shown under saddle: Ellen Bell Noble Caribawn, Class 60. Riding Horse, Gemma McCreery Masereene Being Earnest.

Best Working Hunter (The “Mrs Margaret J Craig” Trophy): Caz Mosley Jack Reserve : Ellen Bell Noble Caribawn Ponies Class 61 The BSPS Pony of Show Hunter type, mare or gelding: N Romanuik, Class 62 The BSPS Pony of Show Hunter type, mare or gelding: Hannah Broadhurst Spike, Class 63 The BSPS Pony of Show Hunter type, mare or gelding, 4 years old: Mrs H Outram Barford Razamataz, Class 64 The B.S.P.S. Pony of Show Hunter type, mare or gelding, 4 years old: James Stuart Maypole Stargate.

Champion: Mrs H Outram Barford Razamataz Reserve: C Coulsens Westerby Firelight Class 65 The BSPS Leading Rein Pony: Lesley Parker Hollybush Silhouette, Class 66 The BSPS Best Show Pony: James Stuart Small Land Accolade, Class 67 The BSPS Best Show Pony: Olivia Govan Lowland Sambucca, Class 68 The BSPS Show Pony: Miss I Johnstone Sandydean Catwalk Queen, The Children’s Trophy: L Parker Hollybush Silhouette.

Show Pony Championship (The Wandel Rose Bowl): L Parker Hollybush Silhouette.

Reserve: Olivia Govan Lowland Sambucca.

Ponies (Section III) Class 69 Exmoor, Dartmoor, Shetland or Welsh Section A, male or female: Claire Mitchell Carylmai Posh Spice, Class 70 Dale, Fell, Highland, New Forest, Connemara, or Welsh Section B and Welsh Cob Breeds, male or female: Ruth MacGuiness Kilimazing Granite, Class 71 Leading Rein (The Braids Hill Hotel Trophy): J Green Gwyarhosyn Demelza, Class 72 Pony Brood Mare in Foal or Foal at Foot: L McGowan Tygolau Chardonay, Class 73 Foal: L McGowan Craiglea, Class 74 One, Two or Three year old Filly, Colt or Gelding: Priya Rome Manorview Toy Soldier, Class 75 Barren Mare or Gleding, 4 years and over: C Burton Gartconnel Clare. Best Mountain or Moorland Pony (The Darroch Perpetual Trophy): L McGowan Tygolau Chardonay.

Reserve: J Green Gwyarhosyn Demelza. Ponies (Section IV) Class 76 Pony Brood Mare, in Foal or with Foal at foot: G Docherty Ailsa of Mendick, Class 77 Foal, the produce of mare shown in previous class: P Abernethy Mistylaw Golden Boy, Class 78 One Two or Three Year Filly or Gelding 12.2 Hands: Priya Rome Manorview Toy Soldier, Class 80 One,Two or Three Year old Filly Gelding: Katie-Jo Nixon Harelaw Artemis.

Perpetual Challenge Cup for the Champion Riding Pony in hand (presented by Dr and Miss Watt, Strathbogie): Priya Rome Manorview Toy Soldier.

Reserve: G Docherty Ailsa of Mendick. Working Hunter Ponies Class 81 Novice Mixed Height: Hannah Broadhurst Spike, Class 82 The BSPS WHP: Persia Bhatia – Molly 13th, Class 83 The BSPS WHP: Hannah Broadhurst Spike, Class 84 The BSPS WHP: Jenny Mowat Aliludo.

Best Working Hunter Pony (The Cormiston Trophy): Jenny Mowat Aliludo, Reserve Hannah Broadhurst: Spike.

Hunters/Sports Horses Class 88 Two or three year old Filly or Gelding: Fred Campbell Take the Biscuit.

Champion: Fred Campbell Take The Biscuit.

Reserve: Lee Valantine Lily.

Coloured Horse/Ponies Class 89: Rae McCulloch Energy Hunting.

Veteran Horse Class 91: Sam Parker Erray MacGregor, Class92: Pippa Telfer Strathisla Ragtime.

Champion: Sam Parker Erray MacGregor Reserve: Pippa Telfer Strathisla Ragtime.

Class 93: J Kennedy Hillhouse.

Pam Smasher Rosebowl (presented by Hilary MacTaggart for the ‘Champion of Champions’ in the Horse and Pony sections): Katie Parker.

SHEEP Registered Texel Sheep Class 104 Tup, two shear or over: A Minto & Son Townhead, Class 105 Shearling Tup: A Kennedy & Son Mitchellhill, Class 106 Tup Lamb: A Cullen Craighead. Class 107 Pair Tup Lambs: R Laird Cambwell, Class 108 Ewe, must have nursed a lamb this year: R Laird Cambwell, Class 109 Gimmer: Clark Garngour, Class 110 Ewe Lambs: R Laird Cambwell, Class 111 Pair Ewe Lambs 1st and 2nd prize winners: Clark Garngour, Class 112 Group of Five Texel Sheep: R Laird Cambwell.

Champion Animal of the Texel Breed (Boghouse Trophy): Clark Garngour.

Reserve: R Laird Cambwell.

Cambwell Cup Best Opposite Sex to Champion: A Cullen Craighead.

Class 113 YFC Class: Tom Linton.

Border Leicester Sheep Class 114 Shearling Tup: J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle, Class 115 Tup Lamb: J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle, Class 116 Pair Tup Lambs: J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle, Class 117 Ewe: J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle, Class 118 Gimmer: J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle, Class 119 Ewe Lamb: Jennifer Brown, Class 120 Pair Ewe Lambs: J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle, Class 121 Group of Four Border Leicester Sheep: J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle, Class 122 Male or Female Animal of the Leicester Breed, bred by exhibitor: J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle.

Best Border Leicester Opposite Sex (Jas. Pettigrew Cup): J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle.

Champion Animal of the Border Leicester Breed (Biggar Farmers’ Club Trophy): J & M Kinloch, Elsrickle.

Reserve: Jennifer Brown .

Suffolk Sheep Class 123. Tup, one shear or over: G Hiddleston Rigghead Farm Shawhead, Class 124 Tup Lamb: G Hiddleston Rigghead Farm Shawhead, Class 125. Ewe, must have nursed a lamb this year: Elaine Wilkie, Shaw Cottage, Class 126 Gimmer: Elaine Wilkie, Shaw Cottage, Class 127 Ewe Lamb: G Hiddleston Rigghead Farm Shawhead, Class 128. Group of Four Suffolk Sheep: Elaine Wilkie, Shaw Cottage.

Champion Animal of the Suffolk Breed (Biggar Farmers’ Perpetual Trophy): Elaine Wilkie, Shaw Cottage.

Reserve : G Hiddleston Rigghead Farm Shawhead.

Beltex Sheep Class 129 Adult Tup: A Taylor Heatheryhall, Class 130 Shearling: A Taylor Heatheryhall (shared with A Bailie Carstairs Mains), Class 131 Tup Lamb: R Wood Kingledores, Class 132 Ewe: A Baillie Carstairs Mains, Class 133 Gimmer: A & M Dunlop Broughton, Class 134 Ewe Lamb: A Taylor Heatheryhall, Class 135 Group of Four: A & M Dunlop Broughton.

Champion Animal of the Beltex Breed (Pearl Assurance Perpetual Trophy): A Baillie Carstairs Mains.

Reserve: R Wood Kingledores. Zwartbles Sheep Class 137 Tup Lamb: Matthew Simpson, Tardoes, Class 138 Ewe: Cowin K & S Craigiehall, Class 139 Gimmer: Sam Rae Wallacetown, Class 140 Ewe Lamb: Matthew Simpson Tardoes, Class 141 Group of four Zwartbles Sheep: Matthew Simpson, Tardoes.

Champion Animal of the Zwartbles: Matthew Simpson, Tardoes.

Reserve: Colin Rae.

Blackface Sheep Class 142.Tup, Two Shear or over: AJ Kennedy Mitchellhill, Class 143 Shearling Tup: Troloss Farms, Class 144 Tup Lamb: A McArthur Nunnerie, Class 145. Pair Tup Lambs: A McArthur Nunnerie, Class 146 Ewe, must be nursing lamb at time of show: M Coubrough Hartside, Class 147 Gimmer: JP Campbell& Sons Easter Harprew, Class 148 Ewe Lamb: Troloss Farms, Class 149 Group of Five Blackface Sheep: DC & JJ Marshall Gosland. Champion Blackfaced Breed (The John M Lyon, Sherrifflatts Memorial Quiach Perpetual): M Coubrough Hartside.

Reserve: A McArthur Nunnerie.

Best Opposite Sex: A McArthur Nunnerie.

Best Male or Female Animal bred by exhibitor (Hazelside Memorial Trophy): M Coubrough Hartside.

More results on our website bordertelegraph.com Shepherds’ Section Class 151 Ewe, must be nursing lamb at time of show: Danny Kennedy Troloss, Class 152 Gimmer: Danny Kennedy Troloss, Class 153 Ewe Lamb: Murray Craig Gosland.

Best Animal, Blackfaced Sheep Shepherds’ Section (Eastfield Perpetual Trophy): Danny Kennedy Troloss.

Reserve: Murray Craig Gosland.

Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Class 154 Tup, two shear or over: G McDonald The Harrow, Class 155 Shearling Tup: J Warnock & Sons Dreva, Class 156 Tup Lamb: M Thornborrow Easter Dawyck, Class 157 Pair Tup Lambs: G & M Morrison Tarbrax, Class 158 Ewe, must have nursed a lamb this year: Messrs Stewart Crookboat, Class 159 Gimmer: M Thornborrow Easter Dawyck, Class 160 Ewe Lamb: M Thornborrow Easter Dawyck, Class 161 Pair Ewe Lambs: J & S Gardner Libberton, Class 162 Group of Five Bluefaced Leicester Sheep: G & M Morrison Tarbrax.

Champion Blue Headed Leicester Breed (Wester Walston Trophy): M Thornborrow Easter Dawyck.

Reserve: Messrs Stewart Crookboat.

Best Opposite Sex (Burghmuir Perpetual Trophy): J Warnock & Son Dreva.

Scotch Mule (Blackfaced Cross Bluefaced Leicester Sheep) Class 163 Ewe Lamb: I Minto Townhead, Class 164. Pair Ewe Lambs: Messrs Stewart Crookboat, Class 165 Gimmer: G Allan Bogside, Class 166 Ewe: F Smith.

Champion Cross Breed Sheep (Midlock Perpetual Trophy): I Minto Townhead.

Reserve: G Allan Bogside. Shetland Sheep Class 167 Adult Tup or Shearling: Joan Brunton Fieldview, Class 169 Tup Lamb: S Tyson & R Simpson, Cherry Bank, Class 171 Ewe in Milk: Morrison & Brogue, Class 173 Gimmer: Joan Brunton Fieldview, Class 175 Ewe Lamb: Joan Brunton Fieldview.

Best Coloured Shetland Sheep (GE & J Meikle Perpetual Trophy): S Tyson & R Simpson, Cherry Bank.

Reserve: Joan Brunton Fieldview. Best White Shetland Sheep (GE & J Meikle Perpetual Trophy): Morrison & Brogue.

Reserve: Joan Brunton Fieldview. Champion Shetland Sheep Classes (James C Allison Memorial Cup): Morrison & Brogue.

Reserve: S Tyson & R Simpson, Cherry Bank Any Other Breed Class 183 Tup: H Warwick Candymill, Class 184 Tup Lamb: C Rae Wallacetown, Class 185 Ewe: Lawrie Grangehall, Class 186 Gimmer: E Orr Wester Walston, Class 187 Ewe Lamb: L Davis, Class 188 Group of Four: Lawrie Grangehall.

Champion: H Warwick.

Reserve: L Davis Prime Lambs Class 189 Three Down-Cross Lambs: Tom Weir Whitfield, Class 190 Three Continental-Cross Lambs, other than Texel: A Mitchell Newton of Wiston, Class 191 Three Texel-Cross Lambs: A Mitchell Newton of Wiston, Class 192 Three Prime Lambs (confined to members of Young Farmers’ Clubs): Ewan Runiciman Huntington.

Champion Exhibit in Prime Sheep section (Heavyside Perpetual Trophy): Tom Weir Whitfield.

Reserve: A Mitchell Newton of Wiston. Overall Sheep Champion: Clark North Garngour.

Reserve : Troloss Farms.

Children’s Class 200 Children’s Calf: Ross Watret, Class 201: Ross Comrie, Stonebyres.

RHASS Trophy: Ross Comrie, Stonebyres Class 202: Cameron Baillie age 10, Class 203: Emma Orr age 13.

Angus Kennedy Trophy: Cameron Baillie aged 10.

Trade Foodhall: Campbells Fudge, Small trade stands: Armac Vets, Large Trade stands: DKR, Craft Tent: Revamped & Tin classics Joan Cowan.

Dogs Champion: Jess Simpson.

Reserve: Sam Thomson.