A great Glenkens Show
Saturday 15th August 2026 saw Glenkens Agricultural Society hold their annual show at Newfield Farm in Dalry, by kind permission of the Wilson family. This good old fashioned livestock show continues to go from strength to strength and this year was no exception. Despite the uncertainty created by an outbreak of Bluetongue infection in Dumfries and Galloway, exhibitors turned out in strength to support this historic annual gathering.
Everything from cattle to sheep, goats to horses were on display. In the Horse Section, the number of exhibitors were up again for the third year running with nearly 300 entries across the rings. This year was particularly special as the organisers had managed to secure the Scottish Bluefaced Leicester Progeny classes, bringing more entries from exhibitors out with the area. It was truly great to see our thriving local show hosting this prestigious event.
Judging of all livestock classes took place in the morning and by afternoon all eyes were on the main ring where the champion of champions took place. Judging this year’s competition to pick the winner of this supreme title was Mr Jim Craig of Craig Wilson Ltd Auctioneers. His choice was a ‘two crop’ Charolais ewe from James Dean, Boreland of Kelton with the reserve prize given to a blackface ewe from the Ramsay Family at Milnmark. This ewe was also the champion at Carsphairn show back in June.
Download full Glenkens Show 2026 results.
Also deserving particular mention was the Clydesdale Horse Section. This year the show committee affiliated with the Clydesdale Horse Society to help improve awareness of this rare heritage breed, resulting in a wonderful parade of 10 Clydesdales (and 5 donkeys!) in the main ring. Working Hunters and the new Junior Championship added to the variety, with lots of fun and memories provided by the Hobby Horse class. A special presentation by the committee was made to a long standing and much appreciated supporter of the Glenkens, Mr William Gemmell of Holmhead.
As in past years, the show was a great social gathering, bringing together lots of people from across the area and beyond to give everyone a fun and entertaining day out. This is no mean feat; working behind the scenes all year round to make the show run smoothly is a genuinely supportive and enthusiastic committee. They deserve our praise for creating a really enjoyable event. Also deserving recognition are all the show’s sponsors, funders, exhibitors and volunteers who help leading up to and on the day; they all make it possible. We hope next year’s show will be just as good!
For anyone interested in checking all the winners, results from all classes of the show can be downloaded here.
Overall champions for this year were:
Champion of Champions – James Dean, Boreland of Kelton
Reserve Champion of Champions – W Ramsay & Sons, Milnmark
Clydesdale Champion - William Gemmell &Holmhead Esme
Clydesdale Reserve Champion - Charlotte Young& Doura Rosemary
More great photos and drone shots of the day can be found on the Glenkens Agricultural Show’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GlenkensAgriculturalSociety
Contributions from Judith Cowie, Fran Dove, Nikky Wilson and Joyce Thacker