The full complement of 36 young people from England, Ireland and Scotland arrived at the Hogs Back Hotel on the Friday evening, where YDP shirts, ties and fleeces were awarded to all for reaching the 2023 Final. They wore this kit while competing in their three age groups of juniors, intermediates and seniors, at the home of the
Rosemead Herd.
Our hosts, Angus Stovold and family, along with his herd manager, Tom Beadle and his team, pulled out all the stops and made us feel very welcome and catered for. Facilities were perfect and all 38 heifers were so quiet and well behaved. Even the weather was on our side, with sunshine all day. With the help of our stewards, Owen Tunney, Gemma Wark, Steph Dick, Nicola Howie and Niall Lynch, the competitors got stuck into the disciplines of the Saturday with great enthusiasm.
The enormity of the planning and preparation that goes into holding an event such as this could not be accomplished without the support of fellow breeders, families and stockman from all around. For this we are most appreciative. The reward: being able to observe the finalists on the day give their everything to compete at an extremely high level with absolute professionalism, decorum and sportsmanship. Some of the many skills learnt at the workshops held around the UK and Ireland through the spring and summer of 2023.
Our evening hosts Dennis and Simone Brenninkmeijer, could not have done more to make the young folk and guests feel at ease and comfortable, with amazing retro food vans including excellent pizza or burgers and chips, accompanied with amazing side salads. The alfresco dining under the warm October sky made the whole evening magical. We owe them a huge gratitude for welcoming our final competitors to their home and giving us a warm reception.
With the presentation of awards being spread among those gathered, the prizes of clippers, blowers, and £1,500 travel bursary went to Graeme Rhind, Finlay Hunter and Cameron Barclay. Naturally the Scottish representatives were very buoyant with their success. Very well done to them and all the prize winners for all their hard work and victories.
Baseball caps, trophies, glass awards, certificates for winners and for all who participated, meant that everyone went home with something to be proud of. We must thank Owen Tunney for generously sponsoring additional prizes in the form of showtime beef kits for the runners up in the intermediate and junior sections. It was the perfect ending to an amazing day.
YDP Final 2023 results
Juniors Intermediates Seniors
Dressing and grooming:
1st Cameron Barclay 1st Finlay Hunter 1st Greame Rhind
2nd Fletcher Russell 2nd Cliodhna Smith 2nd Sam Matchett
3rd Aine Heffernan 3rd Kirsty Clark 3rd Ellie Westaway
Clipping:
1st Sam Ferguson 1st Finlay Hunter 1st Greame Rhind
2nd Cameron Barclay 2nd Eion Robinson 2nd Donald Mclean
3rd Vinnie Lane 3rd Ruby Simpson 3rd Sam Matchett
3rd Megan Reynolds
Ring craft:
1st Aine Heffernan 1st Jack Heath 1st Donald Mclean
2nd Adam Kearney 2nd James Morrison 2nd Cara Doggett
3rd Veronica Webster 3rd Cliodhna Smith 3rd Lizzie Harding
Stock judging:
1st Adam Kearney 1st Ruby Simpson 1st Ellie Westaway
2nd Fletcher Russell 2nd Kirsty Clark 2nd Lottie Hill
3rd Sam Ferguson 3rd James Morrison 3rd Sam Matchett
Panel:
1st James Morrison 1st John Smyth
2nd Ruby Simpson 2nd Greame Rhind
3rd Isobel Walsh 3rd Catherine Smyth
Overall junior: Intermediate: Senior:
1st Cameron Barclay 1st Finlay Hunter 1st Greame Rhind
2nd Adam Kearney 2nd James Morrison 2nd Ellie Westaway
3rd Sam Ferguson 3rd Ruby Simpson 3rd Donald Mclean
