A TRIP to the Royal Welsh Show proved successful for a number of local livestock breeders.

Welsh Cob breeder Jonathan Batt was awarded the highest accolade in the Welsh Cob world, The George Prince of Wales' Cup with Abergavenny Morning Queen.

This came after the Welsh Cob was first in her class on Wednesday beating the best competition from the whole of the country which allowed her to qualify for the female champion Welsh cob section D.  

She then when on to take the female champion of the show which enabled her to qualify for the George, Prince of Wales cup. 

The Batt family said, "After a very nervy class competing with the best male horses, she was awarded the championship which brought most of the family to tears.

"This is something that the family have been working towards for over 30 years and to win this award with a horse that you have bred yourselves is an incredible achievement." 

After winning the Prince of Wales cup the mare then qualified for the Tom and Sprightly overall Welsh Supreme Champion which she also went on to win beating the best competition from all four sections of the Welsh Breeds.

Also winning big were local farmers Tim and Kitty Bodily who won a selection of awards for their prized cattle.

Mr and Mrs Bodily of Parsonage Farm, Llanddewi Skirrid, won reserve female champion for the second year with their four and a half year-old British Blue, Black and Blue Cleopatra who was then selected for the The Natwest Team of Five, Beef Breeds, British Blue Cattle.

Tim said, "I am very pleased but i came as a complete shock because winning for a second year in a row is a big achievement."

Black and Blue Cleopatra was bought in 2007 as a calf to be the foundation female of their blue herd.

Attending the Royal Welsh first time was Raglan resident Mrs Barbara Phillips who walked away with a collection a rosettes for her chickens.

She was awarded Champion Trio, seven firsts, two seconds and one third for her own bred chickens which include, Lakenvalders, Procelaine Sablepoot, Gold Partridge Wyandotte, Silver Sebright, Silver Spangled Hamburg and Barbu d'Anvers.

Mrs Phillips who took up breeding chickens as a hobby after retiring from Vin Sullivan's four years ago said, "It's all thanks to John Sullivan really because he gave me my first Silver Sebright.

"I've done a few local shows but this is my first Royal Welsh Show.

"I don't think I'll every achieve this again, this is the best of the best, a one off."

Another first timer was 20-year-old Miss Louise Kedwood who won a Gold Medal Certificate for the highest number of points in the Novice Decorative Section and Confectionery Sections.

Her top tier wedding cake wowed the judges and came first, while her novelty cakes 'man in a bath' and farm animals came second and third.

Tesco worker Louise goes to confectionery classes and makes cakes for friends and family.

Following on from his success of last year's show is Mr Bryn Probert.

Last year he won Best in Show for his wine but this year he won four firsts, one second and one third.

He also won a Gold Medal Certificate for the highest points and The Betty Bayliss Memorial Shield for Best in Show for his "very smooth and full of fruit" elderberry port.

Members of Gwent YFC also enjoyed a busy  week of competitions with outstanding results and achievements which included winning the Federation Display Competition for the first time since 1966.

Usk YFC were the clear winners of this competition out of the other eleven counties competing, portraying the 'Battling the Elements' theme to a very high standard. 

 At the end of a full four days of competitions ranging from floral, cookery, dancing, shearing and YFC Factor the county were placed joint second with Brecknockshire by one point behind Carmarthenshire.  County Organiser Sarah Davies said, "The members have worked extremely hard this week with all competitions entered and the  attention to detail has really paid off, it is a fantastic achievement for a small County such as Gwent YFC, congratulations to them all."

Full results for Gwent YFC were: Federation Display: Usk YFC, 1.On the News: Usk YFC, 7. Floral: Amy Baker, Usk YFC, 5. Craft: Phillipa Parry, Raglan YFC, 12. Cookery: Bedwas YFC, 3. Hereford Cattle Judging: Team, 8. Suffolk Sheep Judging: Team, 2. Welsh Section A Ponies: Team. Overall, 4. Customise Challenge: Usk YFC, 1. Sheep Shearing: Crucorney/Bedwas YFC, 7. YFC Factor: Raglan YFC, 2. Recycled Garden Band: Wentwood YFC, 4. Dancing: Usk YFC, 6. Tug of War: boys 4, girls 3. Overall Tug of War:, 2. Main Ring Display: Usk YFC 6. Fire Prevention Road show: Abergavenny YFC, 9. Under the Hammer: Bedwas YFC, 1. Woodwork: 8. Fencing: 3. Overall: 2.