Stock Skills competition showcases specialist skills at Bishop Burton College

Wed 22nd May 2024

In an impressive display at Bishop Burton College, Agriculture, Animal Management and Equine students participated in the college’s annual 63rd Stock Skills competition.

Stock Skills is designed to provide students with the experience of preparing for a large country show. Competing in Dairy, Sheep, Goat and Equine classes, the students spend considerable time preparing for the event, practicing grooming and clipping skills and ensuring their animal’s diet means it is in optimum condition. The specialist skills and knowledge developed to compete are also transferable to the workplace in the future.

The event, which is in its 63rd year, is the oldest competition of its kind in a college in England. Held at the Bishop Burton campus, near Beverley, Stock Skills was attended by students’ family and friends, along with dignitaries and industry representatives.

Entrants are judged on the presentation, handling and knowledge of their animal and their own personal presentation. The judging panel, which included horse breeder Norma Grubb and livestock experts Rosey and Alisdair Dunn, was headed up by Bob Richardson a renowned Oxford Downs Sheep breeder.

Officials named Millie Dwight Overall Champion for Agriculture and Becky Banks Equine Overall Champion. Reserve Champion for Agriculture was Olivia Hemstock and Liv Beresford was named Reserve Champion for Equine. The Grooms Award went to Jess Winterton and Harvey Stockdale won the Farm Team Award.

Prizes were presented by Head Judge Bob Dunn, who is the founder of the competition.

Bob commented “It was very difficult to choose an overall winner this year as the standard was very high. The students were well prepared and highly knowledgeable - it takes a lot of patience and skill to get to that level. I love being involved in Stock Skills, it’s so worthwhile. For many students this may be the only occasion where they have the opportunity get an animal ready to show and it’s a real pleasure to see their hard work come to fruition. All the students should be very proud of their performances.”

Principal and Chief Executive Bill Meredith said “A huge thank you to everyone who has joined us today for Stock Skills in a unique celebration of rural life. As the college enters its 70th year, it’s wonderful to see such a great tradition continue to go from strength to strength. The competition is one of the highlights of the college year and much-anticipated by staff and students alike. Huge congratulations to everyone who has taken part – you should be incredibly proud of the high standards on display!”

One of the leading land-based colleges in the UK, Bishop Burton College is dedicated to supporting the future of agriculture. Working in partnership with the Yorkshire and Humber Institute of Technology, the college pioneers the development of higher level, technical skills and in precision agriculture and agri-food technologies.

To find out more about the college and the course it runs, visit https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/

Stock Skills Winners 2024

Overall Stock Skills Champions

Agriculture – Millie Dwight

Equine – Becky Banks

Reserve Champions

Agriculture – Olivia Hemstock

Equine – Liv Beresford

Farm Team Award – Harvey Stockdale

Grooms Award – Jess Winterton

Livestock Section winners

Goats section winner - Olivia Hemstock