RED rosettes filled the main arena on Monday afternoon, but it was Ian Murray who fought off stiff competition to take the champion of champion’s prize with his Texel.

Ian, of East Horton, near Wooler, declared himself “ecstatic” at the news, after the home-bred gimmer started off winning first prize in the gimmer class, before going on to win female champion and then overall Texel champion.

Reserve champion of champions went to Neil Slack of Penrith for his Continental heifer, Bootilicious, from the commercial beef class.

But winners from Tynedale made a strong appearance in the main arena, with Richard Baynes and Stuart Mullan of Marleycoate Farm at Slaley winning in the any other dairy breed class with Bruchac Talent Jewel Queen, who also went on to win overall dairy champion.

“I’m really chuffed,” Richard said. “This is our local show so we always come along.

“We won interbreed here last year with a different cow, so this is another good show for us.”

Tom and Di Harrison of Moralee Herefords in Stocksfield won the Hereford Champion for the fourth year in a row, this time with Coley 1 Pippa alongside her calf Moralee 1 Royal Highland Prince.

Coley 1 Pippa won Hereford Champion last year and appeared again, this year with her calf.

“I am over the moon,as this is actually the fourth year in a row we have won Hereford Champion at Northumberland County Show, which I believe has never been done before,” said Tom.

Outside of the main arena, the sheep classes were competitive, despite fewer numbers after the challenging weather over the past few months.

Stewie Weatherson of Edges Green on the Roman Wall came away with Blackface Champion with his home-bred tup lamb.

This is his second year of winning the Blackface Champion title.

“It was a nice surprise because, as always, we don’t come to the show expecting to win,” he said.

George Walton, of Allensgreen Farm at Bardon Mill, has previously competed at the show, but was judging the Blackface class this year.

He said: “Considering the winter and spring we have had, they have been tremendously good sheep. There are less sheep overall here than last time, but the winner was a very nice lamb.”

Sheep shearing went on throughout the day and visitors gathered round to spot various winners in the many classes, with the Alpacas attracting a steady crowd.

And for the second year, pigs were shown competitively.

Overall interbreed champion went to Jim Farrington from York with his Welsh pig Beechwood Jean 28th, while F. Fieldhouse and Son from Tadcaster, Yorkshire, picked up reserve interbreed champion with their Large White Calcaria King David.