Great Yorkshire Show 2026

Great Yorkshire Show
Written By Lynne Dickens

The Great Yorkshire Show 2026 brought together another strong line-up of Highland Cattle, with good entries across the classes, and plenty of quality for judge Rob Wain (The Rose Fold) to consider.

Supreme Champion, Kirsty 8th of Gartocharn in the show ring

Overall and female champion, Kirsty 8th of Gartocharn

This year’s show did come with some very challenging conditions, as very high temperatures and exceptionally dry weather made things difficult for exhibitors, handlers and cattle alike, as well as the ever-present risks of Bluetongue.

Despite the heat exhibitors turned out a great selection of cattle, showcasing the quality and character of the Highland to a huge ringside. Congratulations to everyone who made the effort to attend and present their animals so well in such demanding conditions.

Taking the overall championship was Kirsty 8th of Gartocharn, owned by Milly Bradley from Devon, who secured the Female Championship with this four year old. Bred by Jim and Catherin McKechnie she is sired by Brodie of Culfoich and out of Kirsty Morag of Ubhaidh. The reserve overall went to Seumus Dubh 1st of Coul, exhibited by K and S Fletcher of Coul Estates and brought out by stockman Allan MacDairmid. This January 2025 born black had claimed the male championship earlier in the day, and is siredby Seumus Dugh of Craigowmill out of Beitidh Dhubh 11th of Craigowmill.

Reserve champion, Figgy of Thelbridge Hall in the ring

Reserve champion, Figgy of Thelbridge Hall

The Reserve Female Championship was awarded to Figgy of Thelbridge Hall, also owned by Milly Bradley, while Samson of Moorside, exhibited by Robert Bradley, stood Reserve Male Champion.

The show was also a great opportunity for members and breeders to catch up away from the ring. The evening get-together with the North of England Highland Cattle Breeders Club was a welcome chance to socialise, share experiences and enjoy the company of fellow Highland enthusiasts at the Society’s breed stand – which was attended by interested members of the public over the four days of the show.

Congratulations to all the prizewinners, and a big thank you to Rob Wain for judging, along with everyone who helped make the Highland Cattle section a success despite the challenging weather. A very special thank you to Lesley Burnett who generously gave her time over each of the four days of the show to help man the breed stand, making sure everyone felt welcome and was well looked after – we couldn’t have done it without you Lesley!

Judges’ report

It was a wonderful sunny day and I want to thank everyone for attending and bringing such a good selection of quality cattle for me to judge.

There was some very large classes to judge which made it much more enjoyable.

Coming to the championship with some outstanding animals, the cow and calf I gave champion to and the young bull that I gave the reserve to, I would have been very pleased to take them home on the day.

Thanks again to everyone for attending and making me feel welcome.

Rob Wain

Show results

Bull born before 1 January 2025

1st Conan Dubh of Blingery | K and S Fletcher
2nd Duke Dubh of West Edmondsley | S and E Haley
3rd Brogach Murphy Ruadh of Seam | C Cannon Hall Farm Ltd

Bull born on or after 1 January 2025

1st Seamus Dubh 1st of Coul | K and S Fletcher
2nd Samson of Moorside | Robert Bradley
3rd Ernie of Thelbridge Hall | Milly Bradley
4th Uilleam 2nd of Scholes | David and Nancy Booth
5th Teddy of Kipper Lynn | Edward Halford

Cow in calf or in milk born before 1 January 2022

1st Roxanne 2nd of Culloden | Edward Halford
2nd Lynn 12th of Mottistone | C Cannon Hall Farm Ltd

Cow in milk, born on or between 1 January and 31 December 2022

1st Kirsty 8th of Gartocharn | Milly Bradley
2nd Cadrann 4th of Eilean Mor | K and S Fletcher
3rd Bonnie Maisie of Moorside | Gaby Heslop

Heifer, born in 2023 in calf or with calf at foot

1st Kirsty 9th of Gartocharn | K and S Fletcher
2nd Frangag Beg 5th of Earn | C Cannon Hall Farm Ltd
3rd Hannah 5th of West Edmondsley | Gary Braines
4th Esther of Moorside | Robert Bradley
5th Frangag Dubh 35th of Cailaich | Mark Luscombe
6th Julie 8th of Tordarroch | Gary Braines

Heifer, born in 2024

1st Figgy of Thelbridge Hall | Milly Bradley
2nd Hannah 6th of West Edmondsley | Gary Braines
3rd Bonnie Matilda of Moorside | Robert Bradley
4th Uilleann 11th of Scholes | David and Nancy Booth
5th Kindy Dubh of Eolhc-Lash | Chloe Jade Roberts
6th Ginni of Glebe View | Gaby Heslop

Heifer, born in 2025

1st Lyla Sofia of Cawthorne | C Cannon Hall Farm Ltd
2nd Sionag 3rd of Scholes | David and Nancy Booth
3rd Siusan of Glebe View | Gaby Heslop
4th Flossie of Thelbridge Hall | Milly Bradley
5th Milis 4th of West Edmondsley | Gary Braines

Group of Three Animals

1st Robert Bradley
2nd Milly Bradley
3rd Edward Halford
4th David and Nancy Booth

Pair of Animals

1st K and S Fletcher
2nd David and Nancy Booth
3rd Cannon Hall Farm Ltd
4th Robert Bradley
5th Edward Halford
6th Gary Braines

Male Champion

Seumus Dubh 1st of Coul | K and S Fletcher

Reserve Male

Samson of Moorside | Robert Bradley

Female Champion

Kirsty 8th of Gartocharn | Milly Bradley

Reserve Female

Figgy of Thelbridge Hall | Milly Bradley

Breed Champion

Kirsty 8th of Gartocharn | Milly Bradley

Reserve Overall

Seumus Dubh 1st of Coul | K and S Fletcher

Lynne Dickens

Lynne is currently a part-time freelance website designer and marketer. Formerly trading full-time as Spot On Creative is a Northants-based creative team who have the hard-earned skills, expertise and industry knowledge that only come from having worked for years in advertising. It was all managed by Lynne Dickens who has over 20 years’ experience in marketing communications, and ten years in website design and build, and creative team project management.

Lynne is also a qualified art historian and has some expertise in curating fine art exhibitions and producing all of the catalogues, posters and supporting material to create a successful event.

All the guys in the team have worked for one-man bands, SMEs and large blue-chip multinationals in just about every sector, field and industry. Collectively, we can come up with great ideas, superb design and copy, and exceptional photography for anything from websites to email campaigns, branding to brochures – and everything in between.

And the beauty of Spot On Creative is that we’re big in creativity, experience and knowledge, but small in overheads and invoices. So we’re a much more sensible and affordable option for you than a larger advertising agency or marketing company.

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Royal Welsh Show 2026
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Royal Highland Show 2026