Royal Ulster Winter Fair '09

This was an excellent show of cattle with a palpable buzz about the place.  Although exhibitors from the South were not there in great numbers they made up for it with the quality stock they brought out.  The judge for the show was Mike Heath from USA.  The Supreme Champion was won by Mervyn & Philip Jones, Hallow herd, Gorey, Co. Wexford with their cow Croagh Fran 26 EX 93, having already won the In-milk class as third calver.  This cow is no stranger to winning shows as she was supreme Champion at the World Conference show in Millstreet 2008.
She was bred by Patrick & Derrick Frawley of the Croagh Herd in Co. Limerick.  
Another Southern cow Hilltara September Maude PI VG 89 jointly owned by the Jones family and Roy Cromie, Castlefinn, Co. Donegal won the 'In-milk second calf' class.  The Heifer In-milk and Junior Champion was won by Liam Murphy, Co. Carlow.
This Shottle heifer was bred by Tom Murphy, Jenkinstown, Co. Kilkenny.  Reserve Champion and Exhibitor bred went to Frocess Leader Anges EX92 owned by Wallace Greg.  Honourable Mention went to Copywood Goldwyn Sara VG 88 2 Yr owned by Simon Haffy.

Croagh Fran 26 EX 93 

Southern Cattle take major honours at RUAS Winter Fair

Lumville Danoise 2 took Championship honours at the Royal Ulster Winter Fair

Kilwarden Goldwyn Vixan - Reserve Champion

The journey to Balmoral proved very successful for the small consignment of Southern breeders at the Royal Ulster Winter Fair.  The Champion, Reserve and Honourable mention were all bred in southern Ireland.  Richard Whelan's Lumville Danoise 2 came out in impeccable form to take Championship honours.  This victory crowned a great season for Danoise having previously won the Bailey's All Ireland Champion Cow and All Ireland Junior Cow and Supreme Champion in Charleville.  A week earlier she was crowned Champion of Champions to take the supreme RDS Award.

For Reserve Champion, excellent judge Geoff Stephens, whose placings were all compatible with the large audience choose his Heifer in Milk Champion, the very much admired Kilwarden Goldwyn Vixan.  Vixan, in her only previous outing was Intermediate Champion at the World Conference Show.

To crown a remarkable day for southern breeders the Monaghan bred Glaslough Charles Fancy now owned by Ivan Robinson was chosen for Honourable Mention.  Fancy had been the reigning Winter Fair Champion.

Lumville Danoise 2 and Kilwarden Goldwyn Vixan then went on to be inter-breed Champion and Reserve over good champions from the Jersey, Ayrshire and Shorthorn dairy breeds.

Despite taking the major honours southern breeders and supporters were made feel very welcome and appreciated at this very impressive and enjoyable show.  It is regretable that we could not extend a similar welcome for Northern exhibitors to Millstreet for our World Conference Show.

© 2007 IHFA                         Clonakilty, Co. Cork, Ireland.     Tel: + 353 23 8833443     Fax: +353 23 8834740               E-mail: enquiries@ihfa.ie