This years Dairy Show at Shepton Mallet maintained its reputation for quality but quantity across all breeds, but the Jersey, was much reduced, this undoubtedly reflects the problems caused by TB and the economic pressures that beset the industry. It dissapoints me that exhibitors attend shows with just a single animal when I know that they have left quality animals at home.
Our Judge David Mann made as always a first class job of placing his classes and also impressed during the Interbreed classes.
In Calf Cows
Three Guernseys forward with Tredinney Andantes Eclipse 11 standing in front of Cadbury Hawks Onyx 2 with Graylands Hugette 21 in third place
Heifers in Milk
5 Guernseys forward with Greensfield Lamars Phyllis in first place ahead of Tredinney Endeavours Candy 25 with Graylands Elissa 9th in third place.
Junior Cows
5 Guernseys forward with the 2010 Heifer Champion returning to take on the 2011 National All Breeds Champion who had been second to her last year at this show but James Warren had brought out for the first time a Jens Gold Glacier Hawk daughter and Tredinney Hawks Eclipse 12 was to stand between Blacknor Tania and Cadbury Hawks Pretty 86 in the final lineup.
Intermediate Cows
5 Guernseys Forward and again a winner from last year Tredinney Yogis Gabrielle 2 was back in the ring but she has improved with another calf and dominated this class, despite the welcome return of the 2009 Champion Froxfield Millie from Emma Dow, with Ermie & Gerties Coco from James Bartlett in third place.
Senior Cows
Two Guernseys forward with St Senara Anoushka from the Warren’s taking first place in front of Hinton Yolanda 13th.
The Parfitt family as ever had a full team present and were perhaps a little unlucky in particular with Graylands Meadowsweet 66 who stood fourth in the first class but is certainly one that will improve as she matures and also Brian and Sheila Adams and their daughter Sally Phillips who prepared four animals for James Bartlett and these animals were to take second place in the Peter Down Memorial Trophy for the most points gained on the day.
The Championship was between the same two as last year but Gabrielle dominated this year and went on to cause a lot of comment in the Interbreed with a lot of very experienced “judges” including two former Head Classifiers both very impressed with her, she scored 42 points out of 50 to stand fourth behind the Holstein(43) who stood third behind the Ayrshire (45) and she was 1 point behind the Jersey(46) who had also won the National All Breeds Supreme Championship.
