SCOTTISH NATIONAL CONTEST

This annual competition tours the country with the aim of giving as many members as possible the chance to compete, while giving our local and regional shows a boost. This year was no exception, with the Contest hosted by Peebles Show attracting some 69 entries from 12 members. The rain did its worst but failed to dampen spirits, and as one member quipped "Everybody's sheep looks the same when they're drookit, so we're all in with a chance!" Judge John Mauchlen couldn't afford such a sentiment, however, and went about his business with considerable aplomb.

Undaunted by the downpour everyone soldiered on, and after an excellent show John settled on Jim Brown's aged ram for his male champion, with Pete and Nicky Brown's ram lamb as reserve. Jim also took the honours for female champion with his gimmer while Mary Laidlaw's gimmer took the reserve rosette.

Sired by Knowsie Boomerang out of a ewe which had twice won the Highland Show, Jim's Gimmer won the overall championship, with his aged ram taking the reserve. Main sponsor Tom Stephenson, of Natural Stockcare, is pictured above with the Peebles Show Perpetual Challenge cup. The exitement was not over yet, however, as Peebles Show had decided that the Champion Border Leicester would go forward to compete in the main ring in the Champion of Champions contest.

With the sun now drying everything up nicely Jim's champion took its place alongside an interesting array of champions which included a retriever, a child on a pony, a Clydesdale horse and a donkey! The honours this time went to the Clydesdale. However, to mark the special occasion, the Peeblesshire Agricultural Society had very generously made a crystal bowl complete with Border Leicester picture, which was presented to Jim by the Show chairman's wife Mrs. Jeanette Wilson. After the judging a large gathering of members and friends enjoyed a splendid spread of food and drink, and it was particularly pleasing to see new members the Burgesses from Dumfries competing and joining in the throng. Needless to say these events invlove a considerable amount of work and could not take place without the generous support of our sponsors.

The Society is grateful to the following for their help and support:- Natural Stockcare Ltd.; Pete & Nicky Brown; Harbro; Norvite; Davidson Bros. of Shotts; Adam Purves Mitsubishi; Lawrie & Symington; G.H. Engineering; Halliwells Butchers of Selkirk; Border Biscuits.