The maple leaf just planted its flag on Europe’s biggest youth dairy stage—against more than a dozen nations, Canada didn’t just win, they set a new standard for dairy youth excellence.
The Young Breeders School 2025 wasn’t just a show—it was the international proving ground for tomorrow’s dairy leaders. Over 100 talented competitors from 13 countries brought their A-game, and at the end of the day, it was a Canadian sweep to remember.
Top Results: Canada Leads the Charge
- Ariane Lebel and Audrey Labbé from Canada staked their claim at the top of the individual rankings, fueling industry buzz about North America’s youth development pipeline. Their showmanship, animal presentation, and judging precision set benchmarks for their peers.
- Nicole Verhof added even more maple flavor, earning the coveted Leadership Award—a nod to her ability to motivate and guide her team under pressure.
- Canada’s program is walking the talk with multiple under-18 winners and top team finishes, powered by hands-on training and steady support from mentors and industry champions.
Europe’s Best: Team Depth and Judging Skills
The team competitions proved Austria and Switzerland aren’t just keeping pace—they’re building deep benches loaded with future all-stars.
- Austria claimed top team honors, and Christophe Fink (Austria) earned “Best Judge”—proving their youth programs are honing skills beyond the ring.
- Germany’s [V.O.ST] brought home a podium result with a blend of technical expertise and cow sense.
U.S. Clipping Skills: Presentation Still Rules
The United States made waves in the clipping arena, with Suton Paulson named Best Clipper—showing that American youth aren’t just about big genetics, they know how to prep and present cattle for maximum advantage. In a field of more than 100 animals, that edge made all the difference.
Data Drill: Young Breeders School by the Numbers
| Metric | 2025 Figure |
| Countries Competing | 13 |
| Total Participants | ~110 |
| Age Range | 12–25 years |
| Classes Judged | 24 |
| Breed Divisions | Holstein, BBB, More |
Bottom Line: Excellence Is International
This event shows that youth programs build tomorrow’s market-makers, managers, and genetic innovators. The judging, clipping, and teamwork are more than sport—they’re training tools for real-world dairy success. Today’s Young Breeders School champions are tomorrow’s global exporters and herd improvement leaders.
Keep an eye on rising stars; the dairy youth movement is global and only getting hotter:
- Maria Otero Naval (Spain) and Claudia Laupez (Spain), both top finishers, signal Spain’s continued momentum.
- Under-16 division winners are maturing into serious junior judges and presenters—look for surprise names next year.
Young Breeders School 2025 proved that the next generation of dairy leaders isn’t waiting for permission—they’re earning their stripes and driving change now. Canada may have led the pack this time, but with so much international talent on display, next year’s battle for youth supremacy is wide open.
Invest in youth, invest in the future—the world’s best dairy farms are already doing it.
Showmanship Classes
- Classe 1: Engelen Rian (South Netherlands), Müller Renato (Austria), Zonnenberg Jade (South Netherlands)
- Classe 2: Eiting Katharina (V.O.S.T.), Spenle Thomas (The French Dream), Gavranovic Jasenko (USA)
- Classe 3: Coz Romain (The French Dream), Mudd Jackie (USA), Kocieba Aleksandra (Poland)
- Classe 4: Steiner Fabian (Switzerland), Lebel Ariane (Canada), Williamson Sarah (Ireland)
- Classe 5: Labbé Audrey (Canada), Uhr Nadia (Canada), Hammann Summer (USA)
- Classe 6: Otero Naval Maria (Spain), Dickson Leah (Australia), Bloemhof Evelien (Young NL)
- Classe 7: Gutzwiller Olivier (The French Dream), Spriet Antoine (Wallonia II), Logtenberg Ida (Luxembourg)
- Classe 8: Gumtz Marie-Luise (R.S.H.), Klasson Emilia (Sweden), Montes Xabi (Spain)
- Classe 9: Gutzwiller Alicia (The French Dream), Otero Naval Andrea (Spain), Versteeg Sarah (Canada)
- Classe 10: Eickhoff Laura (Masterrind), Groot Wassink Isa (Young NL), Van Overbeek Eva (South Netherlands)
- Classe 11: Croat Lena (Luxembourg), Zonnenberg Lieve (South Netherlands), Bezdeliga Lasma (Latvia)
- Classe 12: Niskanen Emmi (Finland), Gunnink Jarn (Young NL), Lopez Claudia (Spain)
Showmanship BBB (Belgian Blue Breed)
- Classe 1: Withagen Zélie, Delatte Florian, Jost Carmen
- Classe 2: Bontemps Oscar, Havart Germain, Mary Lucas
- Classe 3: Desmet Clément, Dambly Louise, Dewaele Vincent
- BBB Championnat: Desmet Clément, Withagen Zélie, Bontemps Oscar
Showmanship Champions (General)
- Championnat: Gutzwiller Alicia (The French Dream), Labbé Audrey (Canada), Gutzwiller Olivier (The French Dream)
Type Show Classes — Holstein
- Classe 1: Anastasia du Luce, Roumanie du Mont des Faucons, Rover du Mont des Faucons
- Classe 2: Lak Transfer Finale, Vita, Orchidee du Moligna
- Classe 3: Las Vegas de la Garde-Dieu, EHB Venteuse, Rodania de Bois Seigneur
- Classe 4: Randa, Vuvuzela, Victorine
- Classe 5: Vileda de l’Herbagere, Sunday de la Garde-Dieu, Shake de Bois Seigneur
- Classe 6: Vodka, Ninon de la Garde-Dieu, Deception de la Tour de Lisogne
- Classe 7: Shana de Bois Seigneur, April de la Garde-Dieu, Volda
- Classe 8: Nafi du Moligna, 2320 du Chai d’Herchies, Volka du Luce
- Classe 9: Vanille du Luce, 8938 du Chai d’Herchies, EHB Valana Chief
- Classe 10: 8924 du Chai d’Herchies, Vita du Luce, Ophelia de la Garde-Dieu
- Classe 11: Vertue de l’Herbagere, Valeureuse de l’Herbagere, Debordee de la Tour de Lisogne
- Classe 12: EHB Uriel Chief, Josephine de Sanzinnes, Zolomita
- Champion Heifers: Vertue de l’Herbagere, Vodka, Randa
Type Show Classes — BBB (Belgian Blue Breed)
- Classe 1: Paprika d’Othee, Tangible de Saile, Taniere de Saile
- Classe 2: Vouee de Lez Fontaine, Tabelle de Saile, Platine de Waret l’Eveque
- Classe 3: Trottinette de Cras Avernas, Camelia de Forseilles, 9228 de Waret l’Eveque
- Championnat: Paprika d’Othee, Vouee de Lez Fontaine, Trottinette de Cras Avernas
Join the Revolution!
Join the Revolution!Join over 30,000 successful dairy professionals who rely on Bullvine Weekly for their competitive edge. Delivered directly to your inbox each week, our exclusive industry insights help you make smarter decisions while saving precious hours every week. Never miss critical updates on milk production trends, breakthrough technologies, and profit-boosting strategies that top producers are already implementing. Subscribe now to transform your dairy operation’s efficiency and profitability—your future success is just one click away.
