Taking place at the East of England Showground for the second year, the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show provided a fantastic showcase of some of the very best dairy calves and young handlers from across the UK.
The show, held from 18th – 20th October, saw over 320 calves and 200 competitors attend the annual event with seven breeds represented – Holstein, Ayrshire, British Friesian, Brown Swiss, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey and Jersey. On the Friday evening, Showmanship demonstrations took place and provided a fantastic insight into what the Judges would be looking for in the ring.
Ninety five young Holstein breeders took to the ring on Saturday to present their showmanship skills to Judge Isobel Jones and Associate Judge Stephanie Doherty. In the coloured breeds ring, young breeders were studied by Judge Claire Swale and Associate Judge David Gray.
It was an all-female final line-up in the Holstein Showmanship Championship with Rachel Williamson of the Border & Lakeland Club taking the Champion spot. Jodie Nutsford from the Western Club followed closely as Reserve Champion, ahead of Rosie Dennison from the Lancashire Club who was awarded Honourable Mention.
The coloured breed Showmanship Champion results were:
| Ayrshire Showmanship Championship | British Friesian Showmanship Championship |
| Champion: Millie Tomlinson | Champion: Abi Marshall |
| R. Champion: Hollie Keenan | R. Champion: Daniel Edwards |
| H. Mention: Iida Maki | H. Mention: David Oultram |
| Brown Swiss Showmanship Championship | Dairy Shorthorn Showmanship Championship |
| Champion: Mark Guthrie | Champion: Harry Collins |
| R. Champion: Hattie Hassall | R. Champion: Molly Collins |
| H. Mention: Heather Bland | H. Mention: George Oultram |
| Guernsey Showmanship Championship | Jersey Showmanship Championship |
| Champion: Michael Dawes | Champion: Emily Davis |
| R. Champion: Jasmine Wells | R. Champion: Lauren Parkhouse |
| H. Mention: Shannon Dawes | H. Mention: Calum Gray |
The calf show on Sunday saw a excellent display in both rings. The Holstein classes were judged by Javier Alvarez Lastra from Spain who tapped out Ingleden Fitz Papoose as his Champion, owned by Messrs Williamson of the Border & Lakeland Club. Reserve Champion was awarded to Nethervalley Kingpin Sara by Robbie & Margot Scott from the Scotland Club and Andrew & Jane Whittaker’s Knowlesmere Solomon Chic from the Shropshire Club was awarded Honourable Mention.
Ayrshire Championship
Judge: Mr Iwan Thomas
Champion: Sandyford Supreme Sea Lily, E & O Wake & E T Tomlinson & Son
R. Champion: Denmans Supreme Lizzie, H Sayer & Son
H. Mention: Marleycote Sea Lily 29, A Smith
British Friesian Championship
Judge: Mr Glyn Lucas
Champion: Lismulligan Pauline 15, B Lawson & Sons
R. Champion: Aintree Jupiter Dazzle, Aintree
H. Mention: Gemini Quaich Rosie, L Rockett & T Marshall
Brown Swiss Championship
Judge: Mr Brian Miller
Champion: Blackrack Dynamite Mandy, Messrs Williamson
R. Champion: Blackrack Dynamite Reia, Messrs Williamson
H. Mention: Holdontoyourhats Bo Peep, H Hassall
Dairy Shorthorn Championship
Judge: Mr Meurig James
Champion: Cotonhall Joyland Alicia, R Kite
R. Champion: Cotonhall Blaze Lady Barrington, R Kite
H. Mention: Kidstones Wild Queen, A E Wilkes
Guernsey Championship
Judge: Miss Emma Murray
Champion: Kimcote Conquest Peach 4, A & R Thomas
R. Champion: Greenfield Dollars Diana, M, C & E Greenslade
H. Mention: Flambeau Ladys Man Freda 2, M Dawes
Jersey Championship
Judge: Mr Arwyn Wilson
Champion: Potterswalls Impression Evening, The Fleming Family
R. Champion: Layward Victoriously Divine, A Harvey & T Wake
H. Mention: Rivermead Casino Natty, The Davis Family
Throughout the weekend a number of other awards were presented.
The Border & Lakeland Club came away with Reserve Champion in both the Tidy Lines Competition and the Best Presented Large Stand competition which led to them being crowned Reserve Champion for Best Overall Stand. They also saw great success in the ring and won the Holstein Showmanship Champion Team Award which led on to them receiving the Philip Gilbert Trophy for the Holstein Champion Team.
Team Competitions
The theme for the stands was ‘Under The Sea’ and awards were presented as follows:
Tidy Lines
Champion Team: South East
Reserve Champion Team: Border & Lakeland
Best Presented Stand (small clubs)
Champion Team: South & Wiltshire
Reserve Champion Team: East Midlands
Best Presented Stand (large clubs)
Champion Team: Derbyshire
Reserve Champion Team: Border & Lakeland
Best Presented Overall Stand
Champion Team: Derbyshire
Reserve Champion Team: Border & Lakeland
Holstein Showmanship Champion Team
Border & Lakeland
Holstein Calf Champion Team
Scotland
Holstein Champion Team
Border & Lakeland
In addition to the team awards, Holstein UK presented a number of other awards during the annual event.
The Dick Stapleton Award was presented to Felicity Coates of the South West Club for her dedication to her club and Holstein UK. Felicity holds the position of South West Club Coordinator and she was recognised throughout the weekend for her enthusiasm, commitment and assistance towards the younger members of her Club.
The Littlestar Award was presented to Tom McKnight of the Northern Ireland Club. In order to be considered as a finalist for this award, Tom had to attend an interview with a panel of judges who selected him as the worthy winner because of his dedication to his Club, Holstein UK and the Holstein breed.
The Louise Hartley Award was introduced in 2017 in memory of Lancashire HYB member Louise Hartley who sadly lost her battle to cancer in 2016. The award was presented to Phil Potts of the Border & Lakeland Club in recognition of him continuously going the extra mile for his club.
In addition to the awards, Holstein UK announced the winner of the Australian Exchange competition. Catherine Bunting from the Derbyshire Club is the worthy winner and will visit Australia in January 2020 Australia for a month of dairying down-under.
Commenting on the weekend, Cerys Petrie, National HYB Coordinator, said: “I am delighted with how the weekend went and pleased to hear that everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. This is my first year as National HYB Coordinator and it’s great to see that the future of dairying is in safe hands with such enthusiastic, dedicated and determined young breeders showcasing their hard work throughout the weekend. I would like to congratulate everyone and extend a special thanks to all of the young breeder’s family, friends and helpers who come along and support the children and event each year – the event wouldn’t be possible without your help”.
