National Spring Fair 2010
The National Spring Fair went ahead despite many doubts at the start to the year.
Breeders and exhibitors were very much on a downer with poor milk prices and severe wintry weather conditions. Agricultural Business was under pressure and commitment to sponsorship was hard to get.
It is a great credit to a small group of volunteers who persevered and they were justly rewarded with an excellent exhibition.
”Quality” was the buzz word around the ring! The in milk classes had 10 to 12 animals in each class competing with excellent quality from the top right to the bottom of each class. I spoke with the judge Paul Miller of “Shanael” Holsteins UK who remarked “These cows would stand in the top end of any show in the UK”.
The Junior Championship was won by Michael Booth, Portlaoise, with “Kellywell Advent Pledge” from the Windy-Knoll-View Pledge and Reserve went to Liam Murphy, Carlow with “Evergreen Susie Mist” .
The Intermediate championship was hotly contested and the audience admired the quality of the heifers. Two VG 88 animals represented the winners. The champion was won by M&P Jones with Hallow Lheros Indianink VG88 and reserve by Richard Whelan with Northlake Farms Addishottle 87 VG88.
In the championship line up the judge retained 6 cows from his final line up which he really admired and commented on their attributes as to their overall quality, dairy strength, feet & Legs and Udders which are the desirable traits for long lasting profitable cows in any system. They were a credit to their owners and the Holstein Friesian breed in Ireland.
The judge tapped out Smearlaview A. Storm Vixan ET EX93 3E for overall champion. She was also Exhibitor bred champion and best udder of the show. Her dam is Fradon Aste Vixan imported from Canada. This third calf cow is no stranger to winning. She was Champion National Spring Fair, National Dairy Show and Baileys in 2007 and reserve champion National Spring Fair and National Dairy Show 2008.
The reserve was the second calver Ardnasalem Kite Lulu 2VG87 bred by Padraig Colton and jointly owned by Mervyn Jones, and family ”Hallow” herd, Co. Wicklow and Roy Cromie “Dalevalley” herd Co. Donegal. She was YMA champion 2007.
Honourable mention went to the Frawley family in Co Limerick with their second calver, Croagh Laurie Talent VG86
The Premier Breeder Award went to Richard Whelan “Lumville” and Premier exhibitor was won jointly by Richard Whelan - Lumville and Shane O’Loughlinn – Weepingash
The Handler championship was won by an up and coming young breeder Michael Booth Jnr. And the reserve handler was won by Lauren O’Toole.
The Megga-moo raffle was won by Joan Lambert, “Edenfarm”. She is currently secretary of the Kildare club and a former President of IHFA. It was very enjoyable to see Joan putting the calves through their places and finally tapping forward her choice calf – Ballyboy Damion Carmen 689 from Jim & Una Sinnott, ”Ballyboy” herd in Co. Wexford.
National Spring Fair 2010 – Results
Class 1- Handler Born On Or After 1st March 1998
1. George Hennessy
2. Lauren O’Toole
Class 2 – Handler Born Between 1st March ’89 and 28th Feb., ‘98
1. David Booth
2. Lena Coogan
3. Kevin Behan
Champion Handler: David Booth
Res Champ. Handler: Lena Coogan
Class 3- Confined Heifer Born After 1st January 2009
1. Shane O’ Loughlin - Weepingash Shottle indian Ink
2. Patrick Gaynor- Mullaghlands Champion Joan
Class 4- Heifer Born On or After 1st August 2009
1. Liam Murphy- Evergreen Susie Mist ET
2. Richard Whelan- Lumville Damion Addi ET
3. J.Connell/M. Connell Jnr/Tadhg Bourke- Knockmoules Derek Aroma
Class 5- Heifer Born Between 1st Jan 2009 and 31st July 2009
1. Kevin Behan – Bonaghmore Lou Karmen
2. Thomas Murphy- Swiftsheath Mia ET
3. Patrick Gaynor- Mullaghlands Champion Joan
Class 6- Heifer Born Between 1st August 2008 And 31st December 2008
1. Richard Whelan- Lumville Damion Chrissie
2. Callaghan Hennessy- Glencarin Goldwyn Clarissa ET
Class 7- Heifer Born Between 1st January 2008 And 31st July 2008
1. Michael Booth- Kellywell Advent Pledge
2. Shane O’loughlin - Weepingash Shottle Indian Ink
JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Champion: Michael Booth – Kellywell Advent Pledge
Reserve: Liam Murphy- Evergreen Susie Mist ET
Hon. Mention: Kevin Behan- Bonaghmore Lou Karmen
Class 8 - Cow Shown Not In Milk
1. Jim & Una Sinnott- Ballyboy L Carmen ET EX 93 2E
2. Richard Whelan- Ballyvore Lecuc Mandy ET VG88
3. Kevin Behan – Copeswood Morty Lette EX 91
Class 9 - Jersey Heifer In Milk
1. Michael Booth – Potterswalls Jamican Pansy
2. Richard & Avril Helen - Kilgarriffe Nina
Class 10- Confined Heifer In Milk
1. Thomas Byrne – Lask Titan Isette
2. Noel Rothwell – Boleybawn Lymeshot Jiff
Class 11 - Junior Heifer In Milk
1. M&P Jones- Hallow Lheros Indianink VG 88
2. Paul Flanagan – Tubbertoby Talent Madison VG 87
3. Donal Neville – Emerald Talent Karry
Class 12 – Senior Heifer In Milk
1. Richard Whelan – Northlake Farms Addishottle 87 VG88
2. John Hurley – Clonpaddin Spot Fame ET
3. Cyril Dowling – Baldonnell Kite Princess
Intermediate Championship
Champion: M&P Jones- Hallow Lheros Indianink VG 88
Reserve: Richard Whelan – Northlake Farms Addishottle 87 VG88
Hon. Mention: Paul Flanagan – Tubbertoby Talent Madison VG 87
Class 13 – Jersey Cow In Milk
1. Richard & Avril Helen – Braymeadow Jono’s Mickie
2. Patrick Ahern – Moorshill Sueann EX91
3. Richard & Avril Helen - Kilgarriffe Mickie
Jersey Championship
Champion: Richard & Avril Helen – Braymeadow Jono’s Mickie
Reserve: Michael Booth – Potterswalls Jamican Pansy
Class 14 – Confined Cow in Milk
1. Pat Coffey- Lisnacunna Lheros Passion
2. John Codd – Knocklusk Goldwyn Celia 10 VG 87
3. Patrick Gaynor – Mullaghlands Cousteau Joan
Class 15 – Junior Cow In Milk Having Had 2 Calves
1. M & P Jones/ R. Cromie – Ardnasalem Kite Lulu 2 VG 87
2. P & D Frawley – Croagh Laurie Talent
3. John Codd – Knocklusk Goldwyn Celia 10 VG 87
Class 16- Cow In Milk Having Had 3 Calves
1. Tim & John Kirby – Smearlaview A. Storm Vixen ET EX 93 3E
2. M & P Jones – Croagh Fran 26 EX 93
3. L. O’Hanlon/ R McCulloch – Clonswords Gibson Fran ET EX92
Class 17 – Group Of 3 Females
1. M & P Jones – Hallow
2. Tim & John Kirby – Smearlaview
3. Thomas Kelly – Monamore
Best Udder of Show
Tim & John Kirby – Smearlaview A. Storm Vixen ET EX 93 3E
Exhititor Bred Champion
Tim & John Kirby – Smearlaview A. Storm Vixen ET EX 93 3E
Premier Breeder
Richard Whelan – Lumville
Premier Exhibitor
Richard Whelan- Lumville & Shane O’ Loughlin - Weepingash
Senior Championship
Champion: Tim & John Kirby – Smearlaview A. Storm Vixen ET EX 93 3E
Reserve: M & P Jones/ R. Cromie – Ardnasalem Kite Lulu 2 VG 87
Hon Mention: P & D Frawley – Croagh Laurie Talent
PHOTOS kindly supplied by Breda Forrest
Saturday 24th April in the Coilog Equestrian Centre. Judge: Paul Millar.
Map of roads accessing event at the Coilog Equestrian Centre, Kilmeague , Naas are on http://www.coilog.com/html/map.html
For further information contact: Richard Whelan, Show Co-ordinator on 0879152792 or email lumville7@eircom.net or alternatively contact Deirdre Toal, P.R.O. on 087 2599314 or email deetoal@eircom.net