AFTER the trials and tribulations of 2007 there were smiles on the faces of exhibitors, buyers and sponsors at the annual Salisbury Christmas Show at the city's Livestock Market.

Bluetongue and foot-and-mouth were forgotten as some of the finest cattle, sheep and pigs from across the south gathered in the rings at the Netherhampton Road market.

With less classes for handled cattle, entries were concentrated and breed cups were determined first. The hardest breed to judge were the Limousins with six super steers in the ring together giving judge, John Norman, a hard time. He selected Mary Reynold's homebred steer which then beat Sarah Harrison's heifer to the breed title but could not beat what proved to be the eventual Supreme Champion, a superb homebred Belgian Blue cross steer, presented by young handlers Toby Butler and Tom Stephens on behalf of R A & M D Butler, from Thatcham.

The Butlers also took the heifer championship with a homebred Charolais but Mary Reynold's Limousin steer pipped them for the Reserve Supreme Champion.

There were some exceptional animals in the Unhandled Section with Derek Woodvine's homebred Belgian Blue x Simmental heifer taking the cup and top heifer price. He also took the Pairs with two sweet little Belgian Blue heifers. The best unhandled steer went to Nicola Denness's Limousin.

The main cup winners were: Jack Olding Cup for Supreme Champion, R A & M D Butler, Thatcham; Earwaker Cup for Reserve Champion, Buriton Estates, Buriton; Perpetual Challenge Bowl for best handled steer, R A & M D Butler; Salisbury Silver Challenge Cup for best handled heifer, Buriton Estates.

Special awards: W S Clarke & Sons Cup for best beast presented by regular vendor of fat cattle at Salisbury market, S Cross, Quarley; Special R B Earwaker award for best homebred beast in show, R A & M D Butler; John Edwards Memorial Cup for best beast from a Hampshire producer, Buriton Estates; Dunns Farm Seeds Cup for best native breed steer or heifer, C E & A B Coutts, Bramshaw; John Jeffery & Son Cup for best baby beef steer or heifer, Buriton Estate.

Unhandled Cattle Classes: Best pair of steers or heifers, D Woodvine, Martin; best unhandled steer, Nicola Denness, Bramshaw; best unhandled heifer, Derek Woodvine; best unhandled beast, Derek Woodvine; best beast sired by a Belgian Blue bull, R A & M D Butler; best limousin or cross steer or heifer, Buriton Estates; best steer and best heifer sired by a Limousin, Sarah Harrison; Dalgety Agricultural Cup for best Blonde D'Aquitaine or Blonde cross, W Edwards, Romsey; Jack Coombs Cup for best Charolais or Charolais cross, R A & M D Butler; Kevins Menswear (Westbury) Shield for best Simmental or Simmental cross, W H & S J Rawlins, Figheldean; Reg Burton Cup for best Hereford steer or heifer, E B Cooper, Landford; Pritchett & Sons Cup for best Angus or Galloway, C E & A B Coutts, Bramshaw.

Pigs: Best pen of butcher's pigs, R & R Collis, East Stour.

Sheep: Best pen of butcher's lambs, continental, R Cruse, Thatcham; non-continental, Fourgates Farming, West Dean.