Irish National Holstein Show 2017

The 35th National Dairy Show at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet was a resounding success amidst weather upheaval during the preceding days most acutely felt in the south west region with storm Ophelia which left many farms without electricity for many days. It is a great tribute to the resilience and support of IHFA breeders for this special show that they came out in strong numbers. It was a marvelous spectacle with exhibitors from Monaghan to Cork and everywhere in between competing for top honours.

The judging was handled in a calm, controlled and assured manner by renowned judge Brian Carscadden, from Ontario Canada, who complimented all the breeders on the quality of their cows and the professional manner in which the show was organized. Great praise has to go to Show Director, John Kirby, and the organising committee, the Cork Holstein Friesian Club and IHFA staff for making it a memorable show in the prevailing conditions of storm Brian raging that morning.

There was strong competition in all the classes with the Supreme Championship going to Cyril & John Dowling of the Baldonnel herd, Co. Dublin. Cyril and John are strong supporters of the show and are unique in that they are farming approximately eight miles from O’Connell Street, Dublin. This was the second time for the Baldonnel herd to claim National Dairy Show Supreme Champion, having previously won the title in 1998. A hearty congratulations and good wishes from all present to the Baldonnel herd on their achievement with their cow Clonpaddin G Fame ET EX92. She also won National Dairy Show Best Udder.

The Dowling’s purchased her as a calf at the Clonpaddin celebration sale while hosting the IHFA National Open Day in 2011. Her lineage traces back to Moralta Inspiration Fame owned by George & Peter Kingston of the Cradenhill herd. She had attained EX97 the highest score achievable in the classification system. She also holds the unique record of three times in succession Champion of the Dairy Show in the years ‘95, ’96 and ‘97.

Reserve Champion was won by Aidan Foody and Rory Timlin partnership, with their 5 year old cow GS Alliance Attwood Okisha, classified EX91 on conformation. Okisha is a grand-daughter of Decrausaz Iron O’Kalibre EX97, Supreme Champion All-European Holstein Show 2013.

Honourable Mention went to Brochan Cocoman’s mature cow Kilwarden Windbrook Vix ET. Kilwarden Windbrook Vix also won Best Exhibitor Bred Animal and Brochan was presented with the Cecil Johnson perpetual cup. Windbrook Vix previously won Interbreed Champion Balmoral Spring Show. She is Classified EX93 on conformation. Her lineage traces back to the Vixan family and Tab Maude. A maternal sister to her fourth dam Smearlaview A Storm Vixan was champion of the Dairy show in 2007 for Tim and John Kirby.

Kilwarden breeding was also successful in the 4-Year-Old class where Kilwarden Gold Bonnie ET took 1st place, exhibitor bred and also best udder of class.

It made for a memorable journey home along the M7 towards Dublin for both John Dowling and Brochan Cocoman, near neighbours with Brochan farming at Kill, Co Kildare.

National Dairy Show Reserve Exhibitor Bred Champion went to John & Garry Hurley with their 3 year old cow in milk Clonpaddin Windbrook Fame 2ET VG88. She is by Windbrook out of a full sister to the Supreme Champion of the Show, a consistent breeding family.

Intermediate Champion was won by Laurelelm Fever Brilliant VG86. Junior Champion was won by Cornboro Beemer Dolly, she was National Calf Show Honourable Mention 2017.

The show was officially opened by Mike Ross, who excelled himself in the Irish rugby jersey. Mike comes from a local dairy farming family and grew up having a strong involvement with the family’s Convamore Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian herd. His father Frank is well known in the AI business, marketing French genetics.

Mike enjoyed a glittering career playing professional Rugby Union, amassing 61 caps for Ireland. Since 2009 he was the standout international player in the demanding tight-head position, a physically demanding and onerous fulcrum responsibility in locking-down the scrum. In addition to playing for Ireland in two World Cups, he won the highest trophy honours of northern hemisphere rugby; two Six Nations titles, two European Heineken cups and European Challenge cup, and two Pro12 crowns. During his distinguished club career he was capped 151 times for Leinster and also played 84 times for London Harlequins having joined from Cork Constitution.

Other dignitaries present were Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, TD.

Junior Champion
Cornboro Beemer Dooly, Brian Corley
Reserve Junior Champion
Sprucegrove At Door Sunlight, Keypoint & Cunningham
HM Junior Champion
Greenlea Mandella Oran, Padraic Greenan

Intermediate Champion
Laurelelm Fever Brilliant, R & J Barrett
Reserve Intermediate Champion
Clonpaddin McChrisi, G & J Hurley
HM Intermediate Champion
Sprucegrove Chelios M Illinda, A & S Foody

Grand & Supreme Champion
Clonpaddin G Fame ET, C & J Dowling

Reserve Grand Champion
GS Alliance Attwood Okisha, A & S Foody & R Timlin

HM Grand Champion
Kilwarden Windbrook Vix ET, Brochan Cocoman

1. Goldenfield Add Walburga, exhibited by J & P Murphy
2. Drumshanny Sensation Queen Red, exhibited by Trevor Williamson
3. Laurelelm Atara Cop, exhibited by R & J Barrett

1. Cornboro Beemer Dooly, exhibited by Brian Corley
2. Greenlea Mandella Oran, exhibited by Padraic Greenan
3. Greenlea Armani Pledge ET, exhibited by Padraic Greenan

1. Yardgrove Atwood Jeanette, exhibited by Bryan O’Connor
2. Seanacourt S1488 Abrakazoos ET, exhibited by Denis Donohoe
3. Sprucegrove At Lav Peggy, exhibited by Keypoint & Cunningham

1. Sprucegrove At Door Sunlight, exhibited by Keypoint & Cunningham
2. Clonpaddin Snowy Fame 2, exhibited by G & J Hurley
3. Chapelhill Doorman Roxy, exhibited by T & D Bourke

1. Grangecon Chelios Arena 8, exhibited by Anthony Kealy
2. Mounteen Palermo Linda, exhibited by John G Kirby
3. Cappavilla Cecelia 12, exhibited by Mary Leahy

1. Sprucegrove Chelios M Illinda, exhibited by A & S Foody
2. Hallow Atwood Twizzle 1181, exhibited by P & L Jones
3. Tubbertoby Brokaw Anna, exhibited by Paul Flanagan

1. Laurelelm Fever Brilliant, exhibited by R & J Barrett
2. Clonpaddin McChrisi, exhibited by G & J Hurley
3. Rosstemple Armani Rosary Red, exhibited by O’Sullivan Family

1. Clonpaddin Windbrook Fame 2 ET, exhibited by G & J Hurley
2. Greenlea Shottle Pledge, exhibited by Padraic Greenan
3. Muckross Mccutchen Ambrosia, exhibited by Jerome O’Leary

1. Kilwarden Gold Bonnie ET, exhibited by Brochan Cocoman
2. Hallow Attic Christina, exhibited by P & L Jones
3. Kilwarden Fever B Shower 2, exhibited by Brochan Cocoman

1. GS Alliance Attwood Okisha, exhibited by A & S Foody & R Timlin
2. Thevalley Amazing Frost, exhibited by P & L Jones
3. Greenlea Lauthority Pledge, exhibited by Padraic Greenan

1. Clonpaddin G Fame ET, exhibited by C & J Dowling
2. Kilwarden Windbrook Vix ET, exhibited by Brochan Cocoman
3. Laurelmore Duplex Impala, exhibited by J Barrett & Sons

1. Laurelmore Duplex Impala, exhibited by J Barrett & Sons
2. Crossnacole Attwood Precious, exhibited by Victor Jackson
3. Bordermist Sanchez Fran ET, exhibited by P & L Jones

1. Kilwarden
2. Hallow
3. Laurelelm