NATIONAL HEREFORD SHOW, TENBURY WELLS

Last weekend, we took the seven-hour trip to Tenbury Wells for the National Hereford Show.

With Tom just back from Argentina that day, Di took the lead again, supported by a fantastic team of ladies. It was well worth making the trip!

MORALEE CURLY CI288 - SUPREME CHAMPION 

Moralee Curly CI288, with calf at foot Moralee Curly FF422 were awesome from start to finish. Throughout the day, they were unstoppable, winning the Cow and Calf Class, Senior Female Championship, Grand Female Championship and then ultimately the Supreme Championship.

This female has given us countless special moments, but this victory was undoubtedly the sweetest, especially for Di, who has been on the halter throughout her journey to the top.

HER STORY SO FAR:

The Curly story began in December 2020 when Tom & Di were sitting at their computer desk during the online Designer Genes Sale.

Because of COVID-19, the prestigious Hereford female sale was held online instead of at the market. They purchased Auckvale Curly 1831S from the Kemp Family for 10,000 Guineas, which set a British and European record for a horned female. This purchase gave us a chance to introduce new genetics and broaden our horizons. Since Curly 1831S was in calf, it wasn’t long before we had our second horned female on the ground. Her subsequent flushing opened the door to even more exciting genetics.

Then Moralee Curly CI288 ET was born in October 2022 sired by Parkhill Pompei. At eight months old, during weaning, it became clear that we had a potential star on our hands. This sweet heifer always wanted attention at the trough, so Di said I'll be putting a halter on you! A month later, she made her show debut at Northumberland County Show, where she won first prize. A few months later, she repeated this success at the Great Yorkshire Show. Before her first birthday, she was crowned National Horned Female of the Year 2023 and won the same accolade as a Senior Heifer in 2024.

This year, she calved in January and by spring, it was clear she was destined for the show ring once again. Her calf, Moralee Curly FF422, is by 2025 Horned Bull of the Year and 2025 National Hereford Show Male and Reserve Supreme Champion Bawnlea Fighter Fury. He was purchased from the Bawnlea herd of Peter Cook in late 2024 and Curly FF422 is the first calf by him.

TOP PRIZES FOR THE WHOLE TEAM

We had three other entries and couldn’t be happier with the results.

Moralee Curly DI418

This October 2025 born heifer excelled in the heifer born between 1st October 25 and 30th November 25 taking the first prize.

Her dam is Moralee Curly 274 a daughter of the foundation horned female Auckvale Curly 1831S and SNS Generator 28X. Her sire is Irish bull FH Diamond.

With Hetty Hutchinson on the halter this heifer making her show debut certainly had the Curly style, and is an exciting prospect for the future!

Moralee Curly FF422

The calf was also in the heifer born after 1st December 2025 class, and not to be out done by her peers she also claimed first prize. With Helen O'Kane on the halter, as she had been during the cow classes, she strolled around the ring with sas and made a promising start to her show career as a heifer.

Moralee Convoy GR385

Convoy is an ET born in October 2024 - dam is the foundation cow Auckvale Curly 1831S and he is sired by Haven Granville. We have tried to mix some old genetics into our breeding program and Haven Granville renowned bull of the 1990s is no exception. Convoy was a very good second place in the bull born between 1st September 2024 and 31st December 2024. He is for sale and is semen tested ready for work.

WHAT A DAY:

We came away with an array of 6 trophies for Curly CI288 championships and the best exhibitor bred Hereford.

We were also awarded the trophy for the for the most tidy lines and for the herd having the most successful day with the fewest number of calved horned females in the herd.

With Tom living it up in Argentina it was Di that had much of the preparations, stress and nerves but also the glory! But at the moment of the final tap it was a strange feeling for Di not to have Tom to turn to!

However, we were grateful that Robert Smith - Livestream, Video and Photography were there so that Tom could watch the action live, and also Hutchinson Photography who captured the winning moment perfectly!

Of course Di was not alone and a heartfelt thank you must go to the team that helped her.

Team Keadyview  for taking the Curly pairing from the Welsh and getting them to Tenbury looking fantastic - thank you Steven and Helen O'Kane

It was girl power all around at the show - Helen O'Kane, Hetty Hutchinson and Cerys Mai Jenkins all playing huge parts in and out of the show ring (Hetty also being Chief Transporter).

To all of you - Di is so grateful and she couldn't have done it without you all!

Thank you to the National Hereford Club for hosting a wonderful show on its 40th anniversary. Congratulations to everyone taking part - it was a fantastic show of cattle. Thank you to judge Nigel Heatrick - certainly a strong judge with a firm knowledge and passion for the breed who stuck to type throughout

GENETICS FOR SALE:

 If you are interested in any of our horned genetics please do not hesitate to get in touch. There will be opportunities for you to purchase Curly genetics in the sale ring later this year!