Record Livestock Entry For Royal Highland Show

Record Livestock Entry For Royal Highland Show

"Stunningly
Impressive" Display

The 2009 Royal Highland Show will stage its
largest ever display of livestock with over 5000 head of cattle, sheep, goats,
horses and poultry entered for the various breed classes and competitions.

The show - major sponsor The Royal Bank of Scotland
- takes place at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, on June 25-28.

Organisers are now faced with the task of
fitting in nearly 1000 cattle, 1500 sheep and nearly 2000 horses.

Show Manager David Dunsmuir said:  "We have had an overwhelming response from
exhibitors and in some sections we have too many entries to fit the stock
accommodation available. We are now working on a solution.

"One thing is certain - the display of
livestock will be stunningly impressive with the pride of British and Scottish
genetics on show. It is appropriate that in this year of Homecoming the
traditional breeds that gave Scotland
its reputation for stocksmanship and breeding have increased their entries this
year.

"The overall entry demonstrates that exhibitors
value the prestige of winning a prize ticket at the show, an achievement of
which they can be proud."

In the beef section, Highland
cattle lead the way with 130 entries (91 last year) followed by the Limousin129
(124) with another original French breed, the Salers, marking its International
Convention at the show with an increased entry of 67 (21).

Among other native beef cattle breeds entries
are Aberdeen Angus 113 (87), Beef Shorthorn 81 (42), Belted Galloway 31 (31)
and Galloway 28 (24).

In the sheep lines, the popularity of the Texel
as a terminal sire is reflected in an entry of 237 (190) where judge Paul Quick
from Devon
will have his work cut out in choosing a champion. Beltex come next with 187
(132) and there are excellent entries of Blackface at 88 (72) and North Country
Cheviots which, with park and hill sections, total 139 (107).

In the light horse section, where the show's
top prize the Queen's Cup will be awarded, there are nearly 1600 entries with
Hunters Under Saddle and Coloureds sharing top billing with 153 forward. In
heavy horses, there are 352 entered with Highland Ponies at 184 (170).

For more information

http://www.edinburghguide.com/events/2009/06/25/royalhighlandshow