What a manic weekend – Friday in Mohill, Republic of Ireland, Saturday in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and then we ended up in Wigtownshire, South West Scotland on Sunday – we’re either really keen for YDP or completely mental!?
This area saw a new location for 2015 and the McCornick Family welcomed us to Boreland, Newton Stewart and what a welcome we had. Home to the McCornick Herd of Angus that has been doing well in the show and sale ring in recent years. The McCornick girls had participated in the YDP a few years ago and their parents Martin & Emma were kind enough to offer to host when we were looking for somewhere this year.
The training team for this workshop consisted of Brian Clark from Duncanziemere Aberdeen Angus Herd, previous YDP trainer and host, it’s always easy to work with people who know what you want to achieve from the day and are used to my bossy tendencies! George McFadzean made the long journey south for the workshop being the Scottish stock judge trainer for this year and I think he’s quite enjoyed it too. Third member of the team was Mike Kirby – Sunday was supposed to be his day of rest but turned out it was a good job he travelled with us when fine weather meant that hay took precedence for one trainer.
12 participants joined in the fun and we started by splitting into 3 groups – well 4 actually as the 2 seniors got to clip and prepare an animal from scratch under the watchful eye of assessor Andrew Hughes. The seniors always get plenty of freedom to do their own thing but there is plenty of advice when needed. The other participants got to do stock judging with George McFadzean, clipping with Brian Clark explaining where and what to clip and the washing, halter changing and knot tying with Michael Kirby.
The afternoon came round and we made full use of all the cattle available (a different colour one sneaked in!) for dressing, Mike took everyone through the different products and how best to use them and then everyone got to dress an animal themselves. As always we finished up with the ring craft seminar and Brian gave everyone some tips for success in the show ring. Ring craft is always a nice thing to finish on as everyone has grown in confidence throughout the day and really come into their own when showing an animal.
Another great workshop thanks to Martin & Emma McCornick and Family, Brian Clark, George McFadzean, Michael Kirby & Andrew Hughes.
After a pretty full on weekend there is a few days rest before the last two workshops of the year and the weekend event is looming!?
