National Western Stock Show
2006 Results
I've just been on a trip which is the perfect antidote to the greyness of January and post festivity blues - the annual National Western Stock Show, in Denver, Colorado, the Mile High City, sunny with a dry comfortable cold and a distant backdrop of the snow covered Rockies and peaks to 14,000 ft.
Persuaded by my husband, it didn't take much arm twisting, I packed my bags and headed out west with a group of fellow Highland cattle breeders from Scotland for the show's centenary celebrations. It was the first time I had ever been to Denver and I was looking forward to meeting old friends, including Joan Wort, from the Keijoasan Fold in Ontario.
I was in good company. Andy Smith of Aberchalder near Invergarry in Invernesshire, had been invited to judge the Highland cattle classes, his brother-in-law and ‘minder' David Dickson plus Angela and Alun Garton bearing foot trimming gear and ready to offer their services to American breeders, traveled to Denver.
One of the livestock industry's largest and most prestigious events in the USA, this year's show entries exceeded an astonishing 15,000 from 41 states. Helped by the other attractions including the National Western Rodeo (prize money of $500,000) the show drew an estimated attendance of 600,000 over its duration from 3-22 January.
Three huge show stadiums, rodeos, livestock events and vast indoor areas of trade stands could keep anyone entertained and spending money for days. There were western saloon table lamps, Stetsons, fancy cowboy boots, artwork, beautifully soft coyote skins, real estate, farming and livestock organisations and livestock equipment - all cheek by jowl.
I discovered a whole floor devoted to entertaining and educating youngsters – one of the best set-ups I've ever seen and so popular you could hardly move.
The livestock exhibits were continually changing – the various breeds arrived, competed and departed. Besides more conventional livestock I found some appealing Himalayan Yak, American Bison (both very tasty as we discovered one evening), miniature Herefords (there's trend reversal for you) and of course Texas Longhorn.
I learned very quickly that should you express even passing interest in something, everyone's enthusiasm is so great that you will be treated to a torrent of information and hospitality difficult to escape from. Such was my fate one afternoon and now I know far more about Texas Longhorn cattle than I ever expected.
Highland cattle, one of the largest groups of cattle exhibited, came from as far away as upstate New York and Vermont, an incredible 50 hour drive - we were very impressed by breeders' dedication and commitment.
190 Highland entries and 22 classes meant a nine hour judging marathon but Andy was man for the job. In Denver's dry atmosphere thirst quickly develops but he needed something considerably stronger than water by the finish.
His Grand Champion Female was a very impressive dark red three year old heifer, Yarnelle Farms Betula, sired by the English bull Scott of Craycombe. This heifer had been top priced female at around $7,000 at the previous year's show. The Grand Champion Bull was Trafalgar Nathan, two years and 9 months, weighing a really impressive one ton.
I asked Andy for his views. "The top end of the female entries were as good as you'd find at a major UK show - the Grand Champion Female and Reserve were both excellent heifers. But I think breeders need to give more attention to hind ends in the bulls - its something we also have to watch out for with Highland cattle in the UK, as faults can creep in if you are breeding for size. Its worth remembering that mobility is an essential characteristic of the breed - the cattle must be correct on their legs and able to walk well.
"There seemed to be quite a bit of surprise at my hands on approach to the judging but then I'm a typical Scottish judge who wants to know what's under all that Highland hair!"
Andy felt that the Americans' showmanship was an education in itself. "Many of the Highlanders were shown by youngsters with their animals under perfect control. They were so professional and could make an animal that was not quite right on its legs stand correctly. I was also highly impressed with the encouragement given to youngsters to participate in their own junior show. They are building up experience and enthusiasm from a very early age which will last them for life."
Next came the very entertaining auction of 20 Highlanders, which hit a top price of $7,200 for the Reserve Grand Champion Cow/Calf Summit Ranch Jocelyn, sired by the Scottish bull Jock of Glengorm. The ‘colour man' certainly lent colour to the occasion in my eyes – our auctions are very different and livestock is sold in the ring without the benefit of anyone ‘talking them up'.
The American Highland Cattle Association's excellent banquet and prize giving followed, a slightly more sober occasion than one would expect in Scotland, possibly in anticipation of the exceedingly long journeys home next day.
We managed a lot in the week – extras included downtown Denver and trips high up into the Rockies. All helped along by excellent hotel accommodations, a regular free shuttle bus service to the show, terrific hospitality from our fellow American breeders and great courtesy and friendliness from everyone we met.
A strongly recommended start to the New Year - and hope to see you in Scotland someday!
Grand Champion Bull, Trafalgar Nathan bred by Trafalgar Farm and owned by Glen Haven Farm in Pine Bush NY. Trafalgar Nathan was born on 4/12/03 and is sired by EZ Acres Nathaniel out of Trafalgar Fanny. He weighed 2061 lbs, had a 19.84 sq. in. ribeye area, .36 inches of backfat, an intramuscular percentage of 4.08 and a scrotal measurement of 40.50 cm. Trafalgar Nathan has a royal lineage, his sire and full brother were both past Denver Grand Champions, He was a Central Bull Test graduate and was named champion at the last 5 shows he attended. Congratulations to Ted and Wendy Seigel.
Reserve Grand Champion Bull, William Wallace of Dalriada bred and owned by Dalriada Farm of Inver Grove Heights, MN. He is a 5/1/04 son of Schon Boden's Prince Charles out of T2 Jezebel. He weighed 1095 lbs, had a ribeye area of 12.67, .14 inches of backfat, an IM% of 3.01 and a scrotal measurement of 33 cm. Congratulations to the Johnston family.
Grand Champion Female, Yarnelle Farms Betula bred by Yarnelle Farms and owned by LiTerra, Grove City, PA. Yarnelle Farms Betula is a 4/20/03 daughter of Scott of Craycombe out of Swains Betula GBB 8B. This heifer is a many times champion with victories at shows around the country. Congratulations to John and Judy Ligo of LiTerrra.
Reserve Grand Champion Female, Shat Acres Vickie bred and owned by Shat Acres, Greensboro, VT. This heifer has also been a champion across the country. She is a 5/10/03 daughter of Lance of Gordon's Fold out of Shat Acres Mary. Congratulations to the Shatney family on this fine animal.
Grand Champion Cow/Calf, Trafalgar Joan and her 7/19/05 bull calf Trafalgar Simon, bred and owned by Trafalgar Square Farm, North Pomfret, VT. Trafalgar Joan is a 5/19/99 daughter of Trafalgar Benedict out of Trafalgar Valentine. This cow weighed 1517 lbs and her calf weighed 518. Congratulations to Ted Robbins, Greg Markwell and all those at Trafalgar for once again bringing a tremendous animal.
Reserve Grand Champion Cow/Calf, Summit Ranch Jocelyn (AI) and her 7/3/05 heifer calf Summit Ranch Shaelyn (AI), bred and owned by Summit Ranch, Chippewa Falls, WI. Jocelyn is a daughter of Scott of Craycombe out of Diana of Kiyiwana. This cow was the 2002 Grand Champion Female in Denver and it is nice to see her come back as a tremendous cow. She weighed 1385 and the heifer calf tipped the scales at 493 lbs. Congratulations to the Krumenauer family.
Heifer Calves born 6/1/05 or later 1st Summit Ranch Shaelyn (AI) - 493 lbs. Summit Ranch 2nd Silva's Sweetcakes - 329 lbs. Silva's Highlands 3rd Schon Boden's Solicity - 371 lbs. Ryan O. Weideman 4th SPH Sarah - 419 lbs. Strawberry Park Farm 5th Brigadoon's Crarae - 482 lbs. Brigadoon Scottish Highlands Heifer Calves born 5/1/05-5/31/05 1st Flatheads Annabelle - 526 lbs. Flathead Farms 2nd CC Melanie - 591 lbs. Corcoran Creek Cattle 3rd CC Ellie - 498 lbs. Ashley Paige Stodola 4th Brigadoon's Claire - 487 lbs. Brigadoon Scottish Highlands 5th Patricia Rose of Double J - 419 lbs. Double J Highland Cattle Intermediate Heifer Calf Champion Summit Ranch Shaelyn (AI) Intermediate Heifer Calf Reserve Champion Flatheads Annabelle . Heifer Calves born 4/16/05-4/30/05 1st Marsh Creek Annabelle - 549 lbs. Cobblestone Farm 2nd Thorbardin's Sonya - 479 lbs. Thorbardin Ranch LLC 3rd Summit Ranch Stella (ET) - 545 lbs. Summit Ranch 4th Flatheads Marla - 446 lbs. Flathead Farms 5th Regina del Azur - 552 lbs. Mr. Francis Azur Heifer Calves born 4/1/05-4/15/05 1st Trafalgar Sierra - 595 lbs. Trafalgar Square Farm 2nd LiTerra Prize - 546 lbs. LiTerra 3rd LEA Bethel - 517 lbs. LEA-White Farms 4th Schon Boden's Valerie - 540 lbs. Schon Boden Farms 5th LEA Bancroft - 478 lbs. LEA-White Farms Heifer Calves born 3/1/05-3/31/05 1st Circle ME Ester - 618 lbs. Alex Kunkel 2nd XC Ester - 592 lbs. XC Farms 3rd Ainsworth Electra - 585 lbs. Black Watch Farms 4th LEA Bittersweet - 510 lbs. LEA-White Farms 5th Landelley's Carlie - 568 lbs. Landelley Highland Cattle Co. Heifer Calves born 1/1/05-2/28/05 1st Black Watch Leah - 629 lbs. Black Watch Farms 2nd Sorcha's Sonasag - 602 lbs. Cobblestone Farm 3rd Fieldstone Sally - 680 lbs. Fieldstone Farm 4th Landelley's Adrianna - 655 lbs. Landelley Highland Cattle Co. 5th XC Elaine - 615 lbs. XC Farms Junior Heifer Calf Champion Circle ME Ester Junior Heifer Calf Reserve Champion: Trafalgar Sierra Heifer Calves born 9/1/04-12/31/04 1st Cloud 9's Abbigail - 751 lbs. William Butzin 2nd Cobblestones Misty - 663 lbs. Cobblestone Farm 3rd Shat Acres Swirl's Girl 04 - 651 lbs. Ray Shatney 4th RAM Lass - 646 lbs. Run a Muk Ranches 5th Silva's Ms. Alice - 963 lbs. Silva's Highlands Senior Heifer Calf Champion Cloud 9's Abbigail Senior Heifer Calf Reserve Champion Cobblestones Misty Heifers born 7/1/04-8/31/04 1st Rosemairi of Five Star Farm - 685 lbs. Five Star Farm Heifers born 5/21/04-6/30/04 1st RAM Brandowyn - 1023 lbs. Run a Muk Ranches 2nd Highland View Taffy - 922 lbs. Black Watch Farms 3rd Silva's Ethel - 954 lbs. Twinflower Farm 4th Maple Hill Rubie - 769 lbs. Maple Hill Highlands 5th Anna 3rd of Dundonald - 910 lbs. Dundonald Farm Heifers born 5/1/04-5/20/04 1st U Rock Lady Renelle - 912 lbs. U Rock Ranch 2nd CC Ethel - 893 lbs. Ashley Paige Stodola 3rd Ainsworth's Ariel - 985 lbs. Ayrshire Farm 4th Schon Boden's Tiana - 1109 lbs. Ryan O. Weideman 5th DH Whisper's Ralia - 757 lbs. Maple Hill Highlands Intermediate Yearling Heifer Champion RAM Brandowyn Inter. Yearling Heifer Reserve Champion U Rock Lady Renelle Heifers born 3/1/04-4/30/04 1st RAM Jessica - 1016 lbs. Run a Muk Ranches 2nd Twinflower Mary Maria - 958 lbs. Twinflower Farm 3rd HHR Bridget - 1049 lbs. Husker Highland Ranch 4th Schon Boden's Darcy - 1013 lbs. Cobblestone Farm 5th U Rock Roxana - 875 lbs. U Rock Ranch Heifers born 1/1/04-2/28/04 1st Highland View Bonnie 04 - 972 lbs. Black Watch Farms 2nd Hawkhead Angela - 996 lbs. Fieldstone Farm Junior Yearling Heifer Champion RAM Jessica Junior Yearling Heifer Reserve Champion Twinflower Mary Maria Heifers born 5/5/03-12/31/03 1st Shat-Acres Vickie - 1266 lbs. Shat Acres 2nd DH Whisper's Aberdeen (ET) - 1344 lbs. Drover Hill Farm 3rd Black Watch Jada - 1103 lbs. Black Watch Farms 4th Ainsworth's Lexie - 1155 lbs. Ayrshire Farm 5th U Rock Nariana - 1230 lbs. U Rock Ranch Heifers born 1/1/03-5/4/03 1st Yarnelle Farms Betula (AI) - 1456 lbs. LiTerra 2nd Spring Flight Xanadu - 1367 lbs. Spring Flight Farm 3rd Trafalgar Natalie - 1240 lbs. Whispering Oak Farm 4th Noel of Five Star Farm - 1245 lbs. Five Star Farm Senior Heifer Champion Yarnelle Farms Betula (AI) Senior Heifer Reserve Champion Shat-Acres Vickie Grand Champion Female Yarnelle Farms Betula (AI) Reserve Grand Champion Female Shat-Acres Vickie Cow/Calf, Cow born 1/1/01-12/31/03 1st Landelley's Doreen - 1137 lbs. Calf: Landelley's Buttercup Landelley Highland Cattle Co. 2nd Thorbardin's Lee - 1153 lbs. Calf: Landelley's Donna Landelley Highland Cattle Co. 3rd Silva's Pebbles - 957 lbs. Calf: RTH Shahzad Rocking T Highlands 4th Belva of Dundonald - 909 lbs. Calves: Phantom's Ace-High Flush & Phantom's Deuces Wild Phantom Highlands Cow/Calf, Cow born 12/31/00 or prior 1st Trafalgar Joan - 1517 lbs. Calf: Trafalgar Simon Trafalgar Square Farm 2nd Summit Ranch Jocelyn (AI) - 1385 lbs. Calf: Summit Ranch Shaelyn (AI) Summit Ranch 3rd Rebecca of Maple Hill - 1148 lbs. Calf: Maple Hill Bart Maple Hill Highlands 4th Silva's Cupcake - 1237 lbs. Calf: Silva's Sweetcakes Silva's Highlands Grand Champion Cow/Calf Trafalgar Joan Res. Grand Champion Cow/Calf Summit Ranch Jocelyn (AI) Bull Calves born 5/16/05 or later 1st Trafalgar Simon - 518 lbs. Trafalgar Square Farm 2nd Maple Hill Bart - 451 lbs. Maple Hill Highlands 3rd Landelley's Kirby - 465 lbs. Landelley Highland Cattle Co. 4th High Country's Chisholm - 488 lbs. High Country Highlands 5th RTH Shahzad - 577 lbs. Rocking T Highlands Bull Calves born 5/1/05-5/15/05 1st CC Hercules - 588 lbs. Ashely Paige Stodola 2nd Schon Boden's Derek - 641 lbs. Jessica Weideman 3rd Twinflower Gilman - 595 lbs. Twinflower Farm 4th Flatheads Arran - 544 lbs. Flathead Farms 5th Trafalgar Sampson II - 602 lbs. Trafalgar Square Farm Intermediate Bull Calf Champion CC Hercules Intermediate Bull Calf Reserve Champion Trafalgar Simon Bull Calves born 4/1/05-4/30/05 1st Glen Haven's Dynamite - 714 lbs. Glen Haven Farm 2nd El Czar del Azur - 633 lbs. Mr. Francis Azur 3rd Black Watch Pico - 527 lbs. Black Watch Farms 4th Flatheads Ardmore - 565 lbs. Flathead Farms 5th Pimushe Gusgurlach (AI) - 760 lbs. Zealand Farms Bull Calves born 3/1/05-3/31/05 1st GH Magnum Force - 927 lbs. Glen Haven Farm 2nd XC Ethan - 687 lbs. XC Farms 3rd Circle ME Bruno - 656 lbs. Circle ME Ranch 4th Spring Flight Zachariah - 570 lbs. Spring Flight Farm 5th HHR Bristol - 587 lbs. Husker Highland Ranch Bull Calves born 1/1/05-2/28/05 1st LSR Grandote - 820 lbs. Laughing Sun Ranch 2nd Silva's Double Stuff - 752 lbs Silva's Highlands 3rd RAM Kenai - 638 lbs. Run a Muk Ranches Junior Bull Calf Champion GH Magnum Force Junior Bull Calf Reserve Champion LSR Grandote Bull Calves born 9/1/04-12/31/04 1st Cloud 9's Andrew - 958 lbs. 11.92 REA .24 BF 2.75% IMF 34.25 SC Cloud 9 Ranch 2nd Karabin Farm's Tuffy - 928 lbs. 11.29 REA .17 BF 3.54% IMF 32.50 SC Black Watch Farms 3rd AF Nonsuch Prince Midas - 935 lbs. 12.52 REA .13 BF 2.44% IMF 36 SC Ayrshire Farm 4th Silva's Scooter - 927 lbs. 11.66 REA .07 BF 2.28% IMF 32.50 SC Silva's Highlands 5th BEF Mic Tavish Gatlin - 712 lbs. 7.72 REA .11 BF 3.48% IMF 28.50 SC Richard M. & Suann Braning Senior Bull Calf Champion Cloud 9's Andrew Senior Bull Calf Reserve Champion Karabin Farm's Tuffy Bulls born 5/1/04-8/31/04 1st William Wallace of Dalriada - 1095 lbs. 12.67 REA .14 BF 3.01% IMF 33 SC Dalriada Highland Farm 2nd Landelley's Cody - 1081 lbs. 12.29 REA .18 BF 3.62% IMF 31.75 SC Landelley Highland Cattle Co. 3rd Eagle Creek Rumsfeld - 1175 lbs. 15.15 REA .17 BF 4.15% IMF 36 SC Summit Ranch 4th Bert Of Glen Haven - 1339 lbs. 14.46 REA .17 BF 3.27% IMF 38.25 SC Spring Flight Farm 5th Trafalgar Riccardo - 1445 lbs. 16.95 REA .22 BF 3.07% IMF 37 SC Trafalgar Square Farm Intermediate Yearling Bull Champion William Wallace of Dalriada Inter. Yearling Bull Reserve Champion Landelley's Cody Bulls born 1/1/04-4/30/04 1st DH Raeford (ET) - 1241 lbs. 17.54 REA .24 BF 3.02% IMF 31.50 SC Drover Hill Farm 2nd We Tired Acres Joc - 1260 lbs. 16.38 REA .27 BF 3.92% IMF 37 SC We Tired Acres 3rd TBR Raistlin - 1195 lbs. 13.54 REA .18 BF 3.87% IMF 38 SC Thorbardin Ranch LLC 4th Spring Flight Connecticut Yankee - 1427 lbs. 17.98 REA .16 BF 3.15% IMF 37.75 SC Almosta Farm 5th Black Watch Emo - 1320 lbs. 13.93 REA .14 BF 3.25% IMF 36.75 SC Strawberry Park Farm Junior Yearling Bull Champion DH Raeford (ET) Junior Yearling Bull Reserve Champion We Tired Acres Joc Bulls born 7/1/03-12/31/03 1st TBR Nash - 1365 lbs. 17.40 REA .14 BF 3.89% IMF 37 SC Thorbardin Ranch LLC Bulls born 1/1/03-6/30/03 1st Trafalgar Nathan - 2061 lbs. 19.84 REA .36 BF 4.08% IMF 40.50 SC Glen Haven Farm 2nd Osceola Rumsfeld - 1788 lbs. 18.43 REA .19 BF 2.92% IMF 37.50 SC Ayrshire Farm 3rd CH Aloysius - 1669 lbs. 19.49 REA .17 BF 2.73% IMF 35.75 SC Cascade Highlands 4th TBR Nitro - 1759 lbs. 16.66 REA .40 BF 4.29% IMF 41 SC Thorbardin Ranch LLC Senior Bull Champion Trafalgar Nathan Senior Bull Reserve Champion Osceola Rumsfeld Grand Champion Bull Trafalgar Nathan Reserve Grand Champion Bull William Wallace of Dalriada Grand Champion Market Steer Diamond D "Stone Cold" Diamond Highlands Res. Grand Champ. Market Steer Summit Ranch Hank "the Tank" Summit Ranch Grand Champion prospect Steer Silva's Junior, Silva's Highlands Res. Grand Champ. PROSPECT Steer Mikey, Double J Highland Cattle