Show points trophies awarded
- BWCS
- Oct 5, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 25
Presented by Executive Committee Chairman Henry Cator, the BWCS points trophies are awarded to the individual bull, cow, senior heifer and junior heifer gaining the most points at shows throughout the year.
BWCS Bull of the Year
1st (41 points) Tollesbury Pythagoras, bred by V St Joseph and exhibited in 2024 by both V St Joseph & new owners C & K Davis
2nd (40 points) Castleton Ken, bred and exhibited by the Wright family
3rd (23 points) Lordswood Finley, bred and exhibited by J Brain & L McGinn
It was a close contest at the top of the bull rankings in 2024, with both Tollesbury Pythagoras and Castleton Ken each having had successful show seasons, and garnering two BWCS Breed Championships apiece. In the end, it was Tollesbury Pythagoras who ended up taking the trophy following his sale in July to new breeders Chris and Katie Davis (Old Wolford herd, Devon), who exhibited him in their own right at Mid Somerset show at the end of the season, just tipping him into the top spot. Runner-up Castleton Ken took notable wins over large lineups at both the Royal Three Counties and Royal Welsh shows, also earning him a sizeable points total, whilst third-placed Lordswood Finley appeared in the prizes at several shows during the year including amongst mixed-breed competition at both Moreton and Burwarton, just losing out to the two senior bulls for the trophy this time but will no doubt be one to watch for the future.
BWCS Cow of the Year
1st (23 points) Tismans Peony, bred by S Trafford, exhibited by C & K Davis
2nd (20 points) Tollesbury Diamond, bred and exhibited by V St Joseph
3rd (18 points) Marshbrook Dragonfly, bred and exhibited by E Astbury
A large win over a superbly strong female section at the Royal Three Counties Show secured the Cow of the Year trophy this time for Tismans Peony, a first-calver with a smart heifer calf at foot exhibited by Chris & Katie Davis, who have had an exceptional season on their British White showing debut. Already well-versed in showing Dexter cattle, the couple embarked on the challenge of turning out a different breed in the form of this excellent young cow, bred by Stephie & David Trafford.
Runner-up in this section was Tollesbury Diamond, collecting Reserve Breed Championships at both the South Suffolk and Suffolk shows for breeder Vivien St Joseph, standing in reserve both times to herd mate and Bull of the Year 2024, Tollesbury Pythagoras.
Just two points behind Diamond in third place was the most senior female shown in British White classes during the year at eight years of age; previous Cow of the Year trophy winner Marshbrook Dragonfly, bred and exhibited by Elayna Astbury.
BWCS Senior Heifer of the Year
1st (13 points) Amaroo Pommery, bred and exhibited by R Pugh
2nd (12 points) Dallyashes Heloise, bred and exhibited by A Hamilton
3rd (11 points) Lordswood Jessie, bred and exhibited by J Brain & L McGinn
It was another tight contest in the senior heifer rankings, with the top two heifers bred and owned by mother and daughter Angie Hamilton (Dallyashes) and Ruhi Pugh (Amaroo), the two herds farmed together in Carmarthenshire.
Both heifers are sired by Castleton Tudur (EX91) and each proved successful in their class at different times of the year, but it was Amaroo Pommery who just pipped it this time with a top placing at the Royal Welsh in July. There were, however, clearly no hard feelings when it came to the trophy presentation, as Angie was delighted to accept the Delamore plate on Ruhi’s behalf when she was unable to attend the AGM.
Another animal from James Brain and Libby McGinn followed closely behind in third place, Lordswood Jessie having placed very well amongst mixed breed competition at the Moreton-in-Marsh Show in September.
BWCS Junior Heifer of the Year
1st (21 points) Tollesbury Tahiti, bred and exhibited by V St Joseph
2nd (20 points) Alcroft Beetle, bred and exhibited by S Cook
3rd (18 points) Lordswood Ada, bred and exhibited by J Brain & L McGinn
A Breed Championship at the Royal Norfolk Show along with a class win at the Suffolk Show saw the superb maiden heifer Tollesbury Tahiti clinch the Bilcko Trophy for Junior Heifer of the Year, rounding out a fantastic show season for the St Joseph family from Maldon in Essex. Placing one point behind in second was Alcroft Beetle from S Cook, Cambridgeshire, having secured a big win amongst a class of nine junior heifers at the Royal Welsh Show and placing well at other shows in East Anglia.
Proving the consistent quality of the 2024 show team from James Brain & Libby McGinn was Lordswood Ada, achieving yet another third place ranking in the BWCS trophy tables by placing well at Shropshire County, the Royal Three Counties, and Hanbury. This smart young heifer is sired by previous BWCS Bull of the Year winner Lordswood Oliver, and will no doubt be another one to watch for the future.
How are points awarded?
The scoring system for BWCS points trophies is simple: throughout the show season, any animal competing in British White breed classes collects one point for being forward in its class, plus one further point for every animal it places above within the breed section.
For example, the overall Breed Champion in a section of 20 British White entries forward would collect 20 points (1 point for being forward, plus 19 points for beating all others forward in the section), whereas the winner of a class of 5 animals which did not win any further prizes on the day would collect 5 points (1 point for being forward, plus 4 points for beating the other 4 animals in its class).
The highest points totals from a maximum of four shows are counted for each animal, which may include up to a maximum of two shows where the animal competed in ‘Any Other Breed’ classes.
Where can I find out about British White breed classes?
The full list of events holding British White breed classes is always published and updated on the BWCS website: britishwhitecattle.co.uk/events-calendar.
From time to time, the Society holds showing workshops to advise members on how best to present their animals for show, and members can also contact the Breed Secretary at any time to be put in touch with breeders that can help you get started in the show ring, so please do get involved in promoting your cattle and the breed via these events!
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