The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society is delighted to announce a wealth of respected and prestigious judges ahead of the 2026 Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank.
This year’s impressive judging line-up will bring together renowned and accomplished livestock and equine experts at the Eikon Exhibition Centre from Wednesday 13th to Saturday 16th May 2026.
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HORSES & PONIES |
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Ridden Hunters |
Carl Owen & Philippa Scott |
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Ridden Irish Draught |
Matt McGivern & John Gilliver |
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Broodmares, Foals & Young Stock |
To be confirmed & Bridget Millington |
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Coloured Horses |
Faye Ludlow & Anne Leaver |
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Racehorse to Riding Horse |
Gavin Cromwell & Stuart Crawford |
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Performance Irish Draught |
Matt McGivern, John Gilliver & Simone Hession |
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Ridden Hunter Championships |
Carl Owen, Philippa Scott, Bridget Millington & To be confirmed |
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Ladies Hunter – Riding Astride |
Faye Ludlow & Anne Leaver |
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Riding Horses |
Faye Ludlow & Anne Leaver |
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Ladies Side Saddle – Balmoral Classic |
Faith Ponsonby |
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Balmoral Star of the Future – Performance Horse Championships |
Jane Darragh |
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Working Hunter Horses inc Smalls & Cobs |
Andrew Bowie & Amy Kinane |
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Clydesdales, Farm Cart/Agricultural Vehicle |
Martin Fountain |
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Hackneys, Private Driving & Light Trade Turnouts |
Brian Brazier |
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Ridden Cobs inc Maxi Cobs |
Matt McGivern & Louise Gaunt |
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Donkeys |
Chris Porter |
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Connemara Ridden & Working Hunter |
Marie-Claire Nimmo & Barbara McGrath |
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Ridden Mountain & Moorland |
Louise Gaunt |
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Working Hunter Ponies |
Jo Jack & Louise Gaunt |
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Ridden Ponies |
William Moran & Brian Teat |
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SHEEP |
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Badger Face Texel |
Andrew Nicholls |
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Beltex |
Brian Hall |
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Berrichon |
Robert Davenport |
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Bleu Du Maine |
Kenny O’Connor |
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Blue Texel |
Dylan Jones |
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Bluefaced Leicester & Mule |
Tom Jones |
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Border Leicester & Greyface |
Howard McIlwaine |
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Charollais |
Jim Neil |
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Dorset Horn & Poll |
Adam Care |
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Dutch Spotted |
Ali Jackson |
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Hampshire Down |
Harry Middleditch |
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Ile de France |
William Hutchinson |
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Jacob |
Siwan Harries |
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Kerryhill |
James Barr |
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Lleyn |
Colin Price |
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North Country Cheviot |
Dessie Robinson |
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Minority Breeds |
Brian Hunter |
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Rouge de l’Ouest |
Louise Elworthy |
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Suffolk |
Richard Hutchinson |
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Texel |
Flo Ryan |
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Valais Blacknose |
Raymond Irvine |
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Zwartbles |
Stuart Craig |
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Sheep Pairs |
Hannah Jackson |
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Single Lamb – Any Breed |
Hannah Jackson |
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Interbreed Pairs & Group of Three Championships |
Douglas Fleming |
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Interbreed Short & Long Wool and Interbreed Overall Championships |
William Thompson |
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Sheep Young Handlers |
Julie Loughery |
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GOATS |
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Goats |
Gordon Webster |
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Goat Young Handler |
Samara Radclifffe |
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PIGS |
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Large White, Landrace, Traditional Breeds, Pork Pigs & Interbreed Championship |
Ryan Perry |
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Pig Pairs |
Trevor Shields |
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Pig Young Handler |
Samara Radclifffe |
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POULTRY, EGGS, RABBITS & CAVIES |
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Turkeys/Waterfowl/Modern Game/Old English Game/Hard Feather (Bantams/Large) |
Andy Wetters |
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True Bantams |
Robin Murray |
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Soft Feather (heavy large & bantam) |
Ian Simpson |
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Soft Feather (light large & bantam) |
To be confirmed |
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Overall Championship |
Jed Dwight |
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Pigeons (racing/fancy) |
To be confirmed |
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Eggs – Decorated & Shelled |
Jed Dwight |
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Rabbits |
To be confirmed |
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BEEF CATTLE |
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Aberdeen Angus |
Graeme Fraser |
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Hereford |
Aselm Fitzgerald |
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Charolais |
Alan Drysdale |
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Simmental |
John Barlow |
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Limousin |
Keith Redpath |
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British Blonde |
Sean Mitchell |
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British Blue |
Ross Pattinson |
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Salers |
Angus McClymont |
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Commercial |
Neil Hardisty |
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Beef Shorthorns |
Tommy Staunton |
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Dexter |
Kevin Hasemore |
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Irish Moiled |
Steven O’Kane |
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Beef Interbreed Performance |
Robin Irvine |
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Beef Pairs & Groups Championship and Champions of Champions |
Vicki Wood |
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Beef Groups of 5, Native & Continental and Exhibitor Bred Pairs |
Stewart Bett |
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Junior Championship |
Colin Philips |
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Beef Presentation Award |
Alexandra Woods |
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Beef Young Handler |
Manus Connolly |
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DAIRY CATTLE |
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Dairy Shorthorn, Ayrshire, Jersey |
Jane Steele |
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Holstein |
Brian Weatherup |
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Interbreed Dairy Pairs, Groups Championships, Champion of Champion & Dairy Young Handler |
Mark Davis |
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Dairy Presentation Award |
Alexandra Woods |
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TRADE STANDS |
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Trade Stand Awards |
Corrie Ince & Amanda Day |
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CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS |
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Champion of Champions |
To be confirmed |
