The Rouge classes at this year’s Royal Highland Show attracted a strong entry which provided the judge, James Kerr of the Fairyglen Flock, with an excellent display of the breed’s quality, character and consistency.
Leading the male section was Ali Jackson’s shearling ram Jets Deacon, bred by Ian Teasdale, a powerful and stylish sheep that headed the Ram, one shear or over class. The quality continued into the Ram Lamb class, where Laine Daff’s Greenside Endevour claimed first place, with Bennachie Eduardo from Pat Imlah standing second and Euan Campbell’s Balvaird Rouge Euan taking third.
In the female section, Aiden Mitchell enjoyed success with Grassknop Beautiful, which won the Aged Ewe class. Colin, Wendy and Owen Philips filled both second and third places with Powerhouse Candyfloss and Powerhouse Cushelle, while Pat Imlah’s Bennachie Always stood fourth.
The Shearling Ewe class proved particularly strong and was won by Aled Groucott with an outstanding Clanfield shearling which was later tapped out as Female and Overall Champion. Pat Imlah rounded off a successful day by winning the ewe lamb class with Bennachie Emmy.
When it came to the championships, Ali Jackson’s impressive aged ram, Jets Deacon, was tapped out as Male Champion, with Laine Daff’s promising ram lamb Greenside Endevour taking the Reserve Male Championship. In the female section, the outstanding Clanfield Diva from Aled Groucott secured the Female Championship, while Aiden Mitchell’s Grassknop Beautiful was awarded the Reserve Female title.
The final championship decision saw Aled Groucott’s Clanfield shearling ewe rise to the top to claim the Overall Championship, with Ali Jackson’s Jets Deacon taking the Overall Reserve Championship. The result capped a highly competitive day for the Rouge breed and reflected the depth of quality on display throughout the classes. The success of the breed did not end there. Later in the show, the Shearling Ewe and Aged Tup went on to secure the Interbreed Pairs Championship, a fitting conclusion to a highly successful Royal Highland Show and a testament to the consistency, quality and appeal of the Rouge sheep exhibited throughout the event.
Full Results:
Ram, one shear or over
1st Ali Jackson JET/D01306 Jets Deacon
2nd Aiden Mitchell POP/C4597 Powerhouse Caveman
3rd Colin, Wendy and Owen Philips MAG/A38 Tullyvallen Aga Can
4th Pat Imlah MAG/C032 Tullyvallen Chief of the Clan
Ram Lamb
1st Laine Daff LWG/E00651 Greenside Endevour
2nd Pat Imlah AGA/E01010 Bennachie Eduardo
3rd Euan Campbell EJC/E00088 Balvaird Rouge Euan
Ewe, above one shear, to have reared a lamb in current year
1st Aiden Mitchell AAM/B09886 Grassknop Beautiful
2nd Colin, Wendy and Owen Philips POP/C4619 Powerhouse Candyfloss
3rd Colin, Wendy and Owen Philips POP/C4598 Powerhouse Cushelle
4th Pat Imlah AGA/A753 Bennachie Always
Shearling Ewe or Gimmer
1st Aled Groucott THE/D00188 Clanfield Diva
2nd Colin, Wendy and Owen Philips POP/D4961 Powerhouse Dior
3rd Aiden Mitchell AAM/D11003 Grassknop Dottie
4th Aled Groucott THE/D00191 Clanfield Darling
5th Ali Jackson ALI/D2555 Tiptop Dam Good
6th Colin, Wendy and Owen Philips POP/D4960 Powerhouse Diamond
Ewe Lamb
1st Pat Imlah AGA/E01007 Bennachie Emmy
2nd Ally Baird AME/E00977 Greystone Electric
3rd Euan Campbell EJC/E00089 Balvaird Rouge Eye Catcher
Male Champion – Ali Jackson JET/D01306 Jets Deacon
Reserve – Laine Daff LWG/E00651 Greenside Endevour
Female Champion – Aled Groucott THE/D00188 Clanfield Diva
Reserve – Aiden Mitchell AAM/B09886 Grassknop Beautiful
Overall Champion – Aled Groucott THE/D00188 Clanfield Diva
Reserve – Ali Jackson JET/D01306 Jets Deacon