Ann owns the show ring at Tullamore
Coolroehouse Abbott Ann, senior champion cow and overall champion Holstein at the FBD National Livestock Show owned by Paul Murphy and Emma Behan of Hillholm Holsteins
The FBD National Livestock Show in Tullamore is without doubt one of the highlights of the showing season and also one of the highlights for farmers to get a day out and meet the agricultural industry. I have heard time and time again that the show has taken over from the Ploughing as the farmers’ day out, and never a truer word has been said, as we would much rather go to Tullamore.
Perhaps one of the greatest parts of Tullamore is the community spirit amongst all the volunteers who make the show possible. It is clearly evident how they all work together to make the show a huge success. We have gotten to know many of the volunteers and stewards over the years and it feels more like we are visiting friends for a weekend.
Huge credit goes to Martina Neville and her team who organise the dairy showing. The hours and effort they put in to make it a success are phenomenal and, of course, there are always little hiccups running an event like that, but they do always try and learn from those hiccups and improve for the following year.
For us, there is always a week of planning in taking such a big show team out. Brian is our go-to man to transport the animals in his articulated truck. He is used to the show team now, knows many of the animals, the trailer is always spotlessly clean, and animals are checked multiple times on their journey.
This year we had 10 animals travelling and Hillholm Holsteins also joined the team with their two cows, as did Tobertoby Holsteins with a further two. It is easier to work as a big team where everyone knows what is happening and what is required to succeed.
Richard Jones was prepping our team as he knows the animals so well and always has them looking their very best. Pauirc and his girlfriend were also on the crew. Aoife Prunty, who is great friends with Becky, also joined the team to show for us, along with Aisling, Ben and Charlie.
The animals arrived at the show at 11:30am on Friday morning. Everyone kicked into gear, and the pack for the cows where they sleep was made, fans and water troughs were put in position, and head cards with the details of every animal were hung up. The animals were walked, washed and fed and were all lying down chewing the cud by 3pm – a well-oiled machine and great team effort.
Saturday is a rest day for the animals and a leisurely day for the team – a little more clipping, walking and washing, but most importantly ensuring every animal is eating correctly so they are primed for the show ring on Sunday, which is an early start, with many of the team starting at 3am and some having worked through the night minding and feeding animals.
As show time arrived, Michael McNamara was officiating as judge in the Jersey ring, where Kohanna and Khassidy stood first and second again before Georgie won the Jersey showmanship class, with Aisling taking second place.
In the Jersey Maiden heifer class, Kalani claimed the red rosette yet again, with Georgie and Aoife leading Kaela into second place. We had both Kasey and Kali in the Jersey cow class. Kasey claimed top spot and best udder, while Kali stood in third place.
It truly is a show she loves and each year that she returns, she knows where she is and what is expected to win.
Becky was busy in the Holstein ring and led Essence to win the Tommy Finlay Spring-born calf class. Tommy was an integral part of Tullamore Show for many years, so it is wonderful to see this class being held in his memory and even more special to win the class and meet many of the Finlay family for the presentation.
Becky followed up quickly by placing second with Acclaim in the January calf class. Unfortunately, she forgot to enter herself for the showmanship, but Georgie took the top spot in the Junior FBD National Livestock Show Young Showmanship Challenge yet again, with Aisling placing third in the same class, while Aoife placed third in the 17–26 year section.
With so many classes completed, it was all hands on deck to get the milkers ready for the Holstein classes. Pete had a good look at the cows on Saturday and said that Tory would win the Super Heifer in Milk class for Hillholm Holsteins and that Coolroehouse Abbott Ann would win the FBD National Livestock Show Senior cow and go on to stand overall champion.
Paul and Emma probably thought he was jumping the gun a bit, but little did we know how shrewd he is. He was on the money and called it to perfection, as Tory did win the Super Heifer and go on to be overall Honourable Mention, while Ann won the Senior cow class and was an easy winner of the Overall Holstein Champion.
A huge credit to Paul and Emma; she is a cow that owns the show ring and loves her job. The care and attention she receives simply makes her a champion, and everyone on the crew loved working with the cow.
Ann must be the red-hot favourite to win the Baileys in Virginia next week. She commands attention in the show ring, and I certainly wouldn’t like to be competing against her because she is in the form of her life and simply took her Tullamore Championship in her stride, following on from her back-to-back Championships at Emerald Expo and Charleville.
