Mountdale flock triumphs as Dundrod breeder claims National Dorset Show title at Limavady

NI Dorset National Show judge Sam Driver, alongside Champion breeder Ellen McClure and Claire McConaghie from sponsor Connolly’s Red Mills.

A standout ewe lamb from a Dundrod flock claimed the top honour at the Northern Ireland Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Club National Show, capping a successful summer for one of the province’s leading breeders.

Held during Limavady Show on Saturday, 18 July, the National Show saw Ellen McClure’s Mountdale flock crowned Champion after her ewe lamb, Mountdale I539, impressed judge Sam Driver to take the breed’s highest accolade.

Champion continues remarkable winning run

The Champion ewe lamb first topped a strong ewe lamb class before being selected as the overall Champion of the show.

Sired by Mountdale Gladiator and out of Bannside D37, the young sheep has enjoyed an impressive season, having already won her class at this year’s Balmoral Show.

The National Show success follows another major achievement for the Mountdale flock after it recently secured the Champion Flock title in the club’s National Flock Competition, where the same ewe lamb also featured in the winning Group of Ewe Lambs.

Ellen McClure’s success continued throughout the day in Limavady, with victories in the Group of Three class, alongside second-place finishes in both the shearling ram and older class and the shearling ewe class.

Templepatrick family also celebrates major success

The Reserve Champion from James and George McKeown with handler Matthew McLucas, judge Sam Driver and sponsor Connolly’s Red Mills.

The McKeown family from Templepatrick also enjoyed an outstanding National Show, collecting three class wins as well as the Reserve Champion and Opposite Sex to the Champion awards.

James and George McKeown’s shearling ewe, Ballymacnamee H0085, claimed first place in her class before going on to secure the Reserve Champion title.

The ewe, making her first appearance in the show ring, is sired by Ashvale Ferdie, whose offspring achieved the top price of 2,700 guineas at last year’s Northern Ireland Dorset Premier Show and Sale.

Meanwhile, Caroline McKeown’s ram lamb Ashvale Immense was awarded Opposite Sex to the Champion. The ram is by Ashvale Grand Slam, which topped the shearling ram sale at last year’s Premier Show and Sale before later winning the Dorset Championship at Keith Show.

The McKeowns also won the ewe rearing lamb or lambs class and finished second in both the Pair of Lambs and Group of Three competitions.

Strong competition across the classes

Nicole Love won the Pair of Lambs class and also finished second in the ewe lamb class and third in the Group of Three.

Aaron and Gemma Parke, whose ram Mountdale Gladiator sired the overall Champion, won the shearling ram and older class while also placing second in the ram lamb class and third in the Pair of Lambs.

The day concluded with the young handlers competition, where judge Sam Driver praised a particularly strong field before awarding first place to Jasmine Parke, followed by Finn Devine in second and Jorge Glass in third.

Judge praises quality of entries

Fresh from judging the National Dorset Flock Competition, Sam Driver said the standard on display was especially high.

“There was a very good show of sheep, the females in particular. The Champion was exceedingly good, she has excellent skin, good legs and lovely carriage. The ewe lamb was very easily shown.

“The Reserve Champion was also great, she has a sweet Dorset head and handled very well.”

Club chairman Samuel Caldwell thanked everyone involved in staging the event.

“We would like to thank Limavady Show for hosting our National Show and Connolly’s Red Mills for sponsoring the event.

“A big thank you also to the judge, stewards and all the club members who volunteered their time to make it happen, as well as the exhibitors for showcasing the breed so well.”

The National Show highlighted the strength of Dorset sheep breeding across Northern Ireland, with exhibitors from across the province competing for championship honours in one of the club’s flagship annual events.