VA Angus Breeders Show &
Rising Star Virginia
Prospect Parade Jackpot Show
Dec. 5-6, 2020Olde Dominion Ag Complex, Chatham, Virginia
Entry Deadline: November 20, 2020
Virginia Special Awards
(Only Open to Virginia Breeders/Virginia Juniors who are Virginia Angus members or VA Junior members)
THE GUENTER BUSE MEMORIAL AWARD
VIRGINIA GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE
Guenter Buse immigrated to this country from Germany during World War II “with bullets being fired over his head” as he always explained. As a child he was involved with 4-H which is how his career with cattle came about. He attended and graduated from Virginia Tech. His first job out of college was at Walnut Hill Farm in Richmond working for Kenneth Litton, Manager.
Following that he went to work at Harmony Grove Farm in Lawrenceville, VA. He put together a highly respected show herd for Bill and Byrd Perkinson owners of Harmony Grove. In 1968 he received the Herdsman Award. During his career he was always very supportive of the Virginia Junior Angus program and the Virginia Angus juniors overall. He was always trying to help them with their showing skills and fitting their cattle. Guenter enjoyed showing cattle and was a regular at the Virginia Breeders’ Show, but he really enjoyed showing females. Guenter left Harmony Grove to join Mohawk Farm in New York State where he was tragically killed in a farming accident. When Virginia Breeders heard of his death, a group of Virginia Angus Breeders got together and purchased a silver tray which became the Guenter Buse Memorial Award. This tray has been given each year to the Grand Champion Female of the Virginia Angus Breeders’ Show. The trophy is a revolving trophy with all the winners engraved on the tray.
THE ELLEN F. RUDDOCK MEM. AWARD
VIRGINIA SUPREME CHAMPION
Few people have ever enjoyed owning and breeding Angus cattle more than the late Ellen Ruddock. Fellowship with Angus breeders always gave Ellen great pleasure and satisfaction. Indeed, it was appropriate and somehow poetic, that the 27th Annual Virginia Angus Breeders’ Show, the last Ellen Ruddock would ever attend, was dedicated to her. No Virginia Angus breeder supported this event longer or stronger through both financial support and participation. The 1987-88 edition of the Virginia Angus Handbook, the last she would see printed, was also dedicated to Ellen Ruddock in recognition of her financial and moral support of the Junior Angus Association, and in tribute to the leadership her White Hall Farm had given Virginia for nearly 30 years.
Ellen Ruddock’s love of Angus began years ago near Gloucester, and flourished when she relocated to the Charlottesville area in 1965. During the second half of the 1960’s, the neighboring Aberan and White Hall herds were intense competitors and leaders of the Angus breed in Virginia and the nation. The competition between the neighboring herds came to a close in 1968 when the entire Aberan herd was purchased by White Hall.
The decade of the 70’s was a time of great expansion for White Hall Farm. At the highest point, more than 1,200 mother cows filled the pastures of White Hall Farm at North Garden and Enniscorthy at Keene that spread the White Hall operation over more than 10,000 acres. In 1974, Ellen Ruddock blazed a trail in Virginia when she hosted the first breeders’ bull sale of entirely Angus bulls born & raised at White Hall Farm. That tradition continued into the December immediately following her death, as White Hall hosted what would be its final bull sale.
Ellen Ruddock’s passing and dispersal of her White Hall Angus herd marked the end of a very special era in the Angus Breed. A cloud passed over the sun - a page of Angus history was turned. Ellen Ruddock and the White Hall herd were survivors of an era of great expansion and prosperity in the Angus breed. No other Angus herd that was prominent and nationally competitive in the decade of the 60’s survived to the brink of the decade of the 90’s. The unpretentious elegance and class that Ellen Ruddock brought to everything she did and every event she attended is no longer there - but her memory will remain with everyone who knew her.
KATHERYN M. ROBERTSON CHALLENGE MEM AWARD
ONE BULL ONE FEMALE FROM VIRGINIA
In 2010, Virginia Angus Breeders lost a true supporter of the Virginia Angus Breeders Show, Mrs. Katheryn M. Robertson, fondly remembered by all as “Miss Kitty”. Katheryn and her husband Robby and their extended family of Whitestone Farm have been great supporters of the Virginia Angus Breeders Show and the Virginia Angus Junior Breeders Show.
Miss Kitty always had a true love for Angus Cattle and enjoyed the atmosphere and friendship found at the Angus Shows. She watched her cattle show competitively at major shows across the United States and stood at the picture backdrop with winning entries at countless national shows, however she often remarked that her favorite show of all was right her in Virginia at the Virginia Angus Breeders Show.
For over two decades, Katheryn and Robie attended and supported the Breeders Show, eight times taking home one of the most coveted trophies of all, the Ellen F. Ruddock memorial award, which seemed to be fitting that Miss Kitty, would take home a trophy named after another truly great lady of the Virginia Angus Association. In 1999¸Katheryn and Robby were honored by having the Breeders show dedicated in their name.
In 2011, the Katheryn M. Robertson challenge award will continue the support in Miss Kitty’s name and continue on for decades to come. The Katheryn M. Robertson challenge award is to be presented to the exhibitor who presents the best pair consisting of 1 Bull and 1 Female.
JOHN PYNE MEMORIAL AWARD
VIRGINIA GRAND CHAMPION BULL
In 2011, we lost a true friend and leader in the Angus community in Virginia and beyond. John Pyne, Jr. was a pillar of the Virginia Angus Association for twenty years from the 1970’s through the 1990’s and was an agricultural leader in the state of Maine and Virginia. John began his training in the cattle business on his parents’ farm, Seek No Further, in Cove Creek, VA just south of Charlottesville. During his high school years, John was a star on his school’s football team.
John’s first job was with Edgehill Farm for nine years and following that, he moved to Harpers Farm where he cared for and showed their show string throughout the country. Ellen Ruddock and Paul Grinde’s Whitehall Farms recognized the talent of young John Pyne Jr. Whitehall Farms was one of the dominant operations in the country and John had the opportunity to showcase their cattle at many of the national shows.
When John Pyne took over the management of Zeuswyn Farm in Culpeper, VA he began breeding top cattle, not just managing the herd. Under John’s hand Zeuswyn Farm owned by Zeus Clore became one of the most well-known farms on the east coast with well attended, successful sales every year for two decades. Zeuswyn was also known as one of the best well-managed operations in the state winning, regional and state stewardship awards. It was during this time that John served the Virginia Angus Association.
John devoted ten years as a director of the Virginia Angus Association and was the President in 1983 and 1989. John helped to expand and promote the Virginia Angus Breeders Show. He paid particular attention to the Junior Angus program and worked closely with many families in Virginia, helping Angus juniors develop their skills and interest in the cattle business. John also served several terms as a director and president of the Culpeper Ag Enterprises.
In the mid 1990’s,John Pyne, Jr. took over the management of David Rockefeller’s Bartlett Island Farm on the coast of Maine, raising Simmental and Angus cattle. John’s skills were well suited to this large operation with a unique environment and the high expectations of the Rockefeller family. In 1999, under the management of John Pyne Jr., Bartlett Island won the regional Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. John continued his service by serving as president of Maine’s Angus and Simmental Associations and the Beef Producers Association.
Through the help of Hudson Pine Farm in New York, in memory of John J. Pyne Jr. we present the John J. Pyne Jr. Memorial traveling trophy to the Grand Champion Bull.
DAVID REED MEMORIAL AWARD
TOP VIRGINIA JUNIOR SHOWMAN
David was as some would say “born into the cattle business” his father was a herdsman at Highland Farm at Round Hill, VA when he was born.
David started working with Angus Cattle as a 4-H project while living in PA, and helping his father with the show cattle at Brookside Farm, Whitemarsh, PA. During the summer months, after finishing school he went to work at Crossways Farm, Gwynedd Valley, PA, where he fitted cattle for many of the big shows at the time, such as Chicago, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, and Fort Worth. After the dispersal at Crossways he moved west to Staley Farms, Kansas City, MO as a herdsman and then on to Ramsey 66 Farm, Paris, TX.
For a brief 2 yrs. he served in the military, and then it was back to the Black Cattle and Virginia where he worked for White Hall Farm, Marion Harper, Brandy Rock Farm, Stonewall Farm, and C-Stock Farm Scottsville. At that time two little girls where his focal point, helping them with their cattle and sheep 4-H projects, and just being a Dad.
David served as VA Junior Advisor, and Director of the VA Angus Assoc. In 1990 he was select as Herdsman of the year, and his family was also chosen as VA Angus Family of the year. In 2000 David passed away from heart complications.
As a tribute to David’s love of Angus Cattle and the young people involved in the cattle business, friends and parents of the VA Junior Angus Assoc. founded in 2001 the David A Reed Memorial Trophy, to be presented to the Top VA Junior Angus Showman at the VA Jr. Breeders Show.
WILLIAM “BILL” HALE MEMORIAL AWARD
VIRGINIA JUNIOR SUPREME CHAMPION
Long-time supporter of the Virginia Breeders Show and the Angus industry, as well as our personal friend, Bill Hale tirelessly contributed to an industry and organization that will never be able to repay his leadership, kindness, inspiration, and financial contributions. Bill wouldn't have it any other way, which is a testament to his generosity and adoring heart.
Bill passed away in January 2014. Bill was a self-made man - a man of strength - who cherished his wife Dianne. Bill was a man of many talents. He made his mark in the coal industry, owning several companies. Later in life, he found success in several other industries including: the charter airline industry, owning a charter flight service with two planes; the commercial fishing industry, owning several boats; and even the financial services industry, serving as one of the seven original shareholders and the former CEO of 1st Sentinel Bank.
Despite his many successful endeavors, one of his ultimate joys in life was raising purebred Angus cattle. Together, the Hales owned Hale-O Farms in Bland, Virginia and exhibited their cattle for many years here at the Virginia Breeders Show. Bill and Dianne were faithful supporters for all junior members and their activities at the Breeders Show. Bill believed with all of his heart that without the juniors, the future of our industry would not be as bright and that the youth he interacted with were the finest he had ever met.
One of Bill and Dianne’s favorite activities at the Breeders Show was the Saturday night auction. At one time the Breeders Show had a “junior” auction on Saturday evening. A farm would purchase a junior to help them on Sunday for the open show and the funds went to support the organization. . You can bet Bill and Dianne picked out some juniors to help support this event and prepare to exercise their bidding hands, for those Juniors were helping them on Sunday! Bill loved a good auction, but he was most excited that the funds raised were supporting a great cause. Even with his declining health over the past few years, his spirits and love for the industry never faltered. He could often be found racing through the barns on his scooter to catch up with his Angus friends.
We look forward to our continued friendship and partnership with Dianne and Hale-O Farms, as Dianne continues their legacy in Bill's honor, as only she can.
The Virginia Breeders Show Junior Supreme Champion trophy is in memory of a mentor, the friend, the partner, and a philanthropists William Lee (Bill) Hale. Our organization, our industry, and our lives are forever changed by having the privilege to have known Bill Hale.
Robert W. “Woody” Thomas Memorial Award
VIRGINIA JUNIOR BREEDER with Most Points
Robert “Woody” Thomas was a true cowman. He worked with many of the top herds throughout the United States developing strong breeding programs. His efforts helped to produce many top Angus cattle.
Woody worked with many Angus Farms. He worked at Shadow Isle Farm, Colts Neck, NJ in the 1950’s. The farm owned by Dr. Armand Hammer was one of the top seedstock operations during the hay days of the fifties. At this time in history New Jersey and New York were the hot beds of Angus genetics in the United States.
Later Woody went on to work with Mr. Dave Canning. Mr. Canning would put together herds of Angus cattle for new producers. Woody would then go with the cattle to their new homes and begin to establish the farms and breeding programs for the new owners. Dave Canning and Woody teamed up for over thirty years establishing new Angus operations across the country. Woody has been credited by those he worked with as an excellent teacher and mentor.
In the 1970’s and 80’s Woody ran the BAR X herd in Southwest Virginia. Following his work at BAR X he began to freelance for Angus Breeders throughout Virginia. Much time was spent at Wehrmann Angus helping longtime friend
Richard McClung begins to establish the operation as it moved from Georgia to Virginia.
Woody Thomas was a man with a very quiet demeanor that was indicative of how he got things done. The task at hand was always completed in ways that were highly successful, while at the same time, done without much fanfare. That is the way Woody wanted it. If you didn’t know Woody Thomas, it was probably because his laid back personality, at times would over shadow the man himself. Woodrow “Woody” Thomas was one of the good guys.
It is only appropriate that Woody Thomas be recognized for his accomplishments as an Angus Breeder and Enthusiast. A group of friends has established the Robert W. “Woody” Thomas Memorial Premier Breeder Award to be awarded annually to the Virginia Junior Angus Exhibitor who collects the most total points for cattle that they have bred, and that are shown in both the Virginia Breeders Show and the Junior Breeders Show.
Joseph Smith Memorial Award
VIRGINIA JUNIOR EXHIBITOR WITH MOST POINTS
Joe Smith was truly a diamond in the rough. He was born on Christmas Eve, 1935 on the family farm. His father walked from their Ohio stock farm in a blizzard to get the doctor.
Upon completing high school Joe attended Ohio State University where he majored in Animal Husbandry. While at Ohio State, Joe was a member of both the Livestock and Wool Judging teams. To accomplish such a feat, Joe had to overcome a stuttering problem. Joe overcame his stuttering as he and his teammates went on to win the National Intercollegiate Wool Judging Contest. Joe along with his brothers worked and lived in the livestock barns to help offset school expenses.
Once school and graduation was behind him, Joe began his career in the cattle business. His first stop was Northern Pump Hereford Farm outside of Chicago. He then moved on to Northwood Shorthorns where he received the first scotch comb to come into the United States. When seen by entrepreneur Myron Fuerst, the rest was history, he began to import from Scotland huge numbers of the comb and sell them to cattlemen throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Joe then moved to Hillsdale N.Y. where he became a member of the Ankony Angus team. At Ankony, Joe managed the Thorndale Unit and also worked in the show barn where he helped to raise and develop more International Champion bulls and females than most anyone else in the cattle industry. He loved to share his road or rail experiences has he traveled in rail cars to all the major shows across the country. Joe also enjoyed talking about his favorite cow Blackbird 375 and the legendary sire Bardoliermere 2.
Joe and his wife Naomi moved from New York to Virginia where Joe worked as herdsman at Ayrshire Farm. Upon purchasing House Mountain farm the Smiths moved to Lexington, Virginia. Once settled in, Joe began to manage a commercial cow calf and sheep operation, while he and Naomi began to set up their own farming operation.
Those that worked with Joe throughout his career describe Joe Smith as “a true cow man who was dedicated to the cows, farm, and employer. Joe always showed respect for people and they for him”. They all continued on to say “it was an honor to work with him and to call him a friend”.
Over the years, Joe had put together a collection of Angus and livestock memorabilia that was only second to what Tom Burke has assembled. Tom often tried to persuade Joe for some of his items. Joe always held out to Tom’s offers and instead, he and Naomi have graciously donated items to Virginia Angus over the years, to be used as auction items at many of different Virginia Angus events. Each item was well received and the funds they generated have been used for many Virginia Angus and Virginia Junior Angus activities.
In recognition of Joe and his accomplishments a group of friends has established the Joseph Smith Memorial Premier Exhibitor Award to be awarded annually to the VA Junior Angus Exhibitor who collects the most total points showing in both the Virginia Breeders Show and the Junior Breeders Show.