A LIMOUSIN bull secured a hat-trick of victories after being named Champion of Champions at Peebles Agricultural Society’s Grand Open Show.

Javelin, which was being shown by Ian Nimmo, of Bogside Farm, Newmains, Wishaw, had already taken the title at similar events in Biggar and Carnwath.

And, next month, he will be shown at Strathaven before being sold in Stirling in October.

When asked how he felt being presented with the winning Jimmy Johnston trophy, in addition to the RBS Cup for Inter-Bred Cattle Champion, Mr Nimmo said: “Pretty good, I’m delighted.

“Javelin was Champion of Champions at Biggar and Carnwath so this is three in a row.” The Champion of Champions was judged by John Forsyth, of Maybole, Ayrshire who admitted choosing a winner from the high standard of entries was a bit of a “lottery”.

Mr Nimmo added: “We work hard at home to get a day out like this. We were up at half five this morning and it will be dark by the time we get home but it’s worth it.” Twelve-year-old Lewis Runciman, of Allanshaws Farm, Stow, went home with the Reserve Champion prize after his North Country Cheviot, named Allanshaws Lorna, won the William Forbes Cup for best Overall Sheep from 1346 entries – the largest number outwith the Royal Highland Show.

She had already claimed a first at Dalkeith and Haddington and won Reserve Sheep Champion at Peebles as a lamb last year.

Lewis’s dad Roderick said: “It’s some honour when there are 1350 sheep in the whole show, to come out Champion is pretty amazing. This is her third show but this is the most successful one she has had.

“We got Reserve Sheep Champion here last year with this sheep as a lamb and that’s the only two years we have been here.” Other trophy winners included Caroline Redpath, who won the Graham Irvine Cup for Light Horse Champion; John Campbell, from Glenrath Farms, won the JB Currie Cup for most Points in Show; and East Lothian-based Garden Solutions who won the Mascott Bond Trophy for Best Trade Stand for a fifth year in a row.

And, despite the industry facing some tough times, the agricultural show remains one of the highlights of the local farming calendar.

Reflecting on the Show at Nether Horsburgh Farm, Cardrona, on Saturday, Kate Howell, the event’s first female President, said: “After all the traumas of the rain (on Friday) it was amazing, beautiful - the perfect day for a show.

“It was all quite stressful leading up to it, getting everything ready but I’ve really enjoyed today. It’s been an absolutely fantastic day here. It’s a beautiful setting, absolutely fantastic turnout of stock and something I’ve been dreaming of ever since I was a little girl.” It is the third year in a row the event has been staged at Nether Horsburgh following drainage issues at Hay Lodge Park in Peebles. And organisers confirmed the venue will become the Show’s permanent home.

Kate said: “Nobody really wanted to move away from Hay Lodge – the Show had been there since at least the end of the Second World War – but given that they (Scottish Borders Council) has spent all that money (on repairs) we didn’t want to go back and spoil it all again.

“Nether Horburgh is good for us anyway as there is more space and gives us scope to offer more attractions.” New additions to the Show this year included a food tent, rabbit show and camel rides.

Kate said: “The highlight for me was leading the Grand Parade but also seeing the camels was fantastic and that huge show of sheep.

“It just gives everyone the chance to get together, on a day like this everybody is in a good mood and it just raises their spirits and keeps support networks going. Sometimes you only see people once a year at the Show so it’s really important.

“We will start working towards next year’s Show in two or three weeks time so it takes a lot of work from everybody; all the farms roundabout, everybody contributes something, be it time or machines or coming along and helping put things up. It’s a great way of keeping the rural community together.”