Doorman daughters dominate Holstein championship line-up 

 

The seven-month-old heifer Denholme Doorman Entice ET emerged as the supreme champion amidst a strong Holstein entry at the 14th annual multi-breed dairy calf show in Ballymena.

 

Owned in a three-way split by Andrew Kennedy, Denis O’Neill and David Simpson, she was described by English judge Max Davies as a well-balanced and very feminine calf. 

 

“This calf really stood out. She is full of dairy character, and has length and great openness of rib. I really admire her width in the pins and her lovely long neck.”

 

Sired by Val-Bisson Doorman, the champion was bred from the VG87 (2yr) Dalevalley Goldwyn Embrace – purchased at Dalevalley Sky High Protein sale in 2014. 

 

Mr Davies who runs the 150-cow Davlea Herd in Somerset was making his Northern Ireland judging debut at the County Antrim venue.  “I was very excited to be invited to judge the HYB calf show. The NI HYB is well supported, and the country is home to some fantastic herds, and very knowledgeable cow men and women.”

 

Claiming the reserve championship honours, sponsored by Thompsons, was the Val-Bisson Doorman daughter Maineview Doorman Lavish ET. She stood second to the champion in the baby heifer class, and is owned in partnership by Andrew Kennedy and David Simpson. Born in February 2016, this one is bred from the EX95 Galwaybay Dundee Lavish.

 

“This calf is similar in style of the champion. Her head and neck blend well with her body, and she has great squareness of frame,” added the judge.

 

George and Jason Booth, Stewartstown, won the honourable mention and exhibitor-bred awards with the eleven-month-old Beechview Integral Lalita Red. Sired by Blondin Integral, her dam is the home-bred Beechview Advent Lalita Red ET EX91 (2) – a former class winner at the calf show, and an All-Britain maiden heifer nominee. The 180-cow herd won the junior championship at Antrim Show with this red and white calf. “I really admire the square frame and power of this young heifer,” said Max Davies.

 

The exhibitor-bred championship was sponsored by Western Farm Enterprises. Securing the reserve award was the December 2015 born Priestland 5966 Frisky Melissa bred by the McLean family – Iain, Joyce, John, Matthew and Ellie from Bushmills.  

 

Sired by the Regancrest Braxton son Priestland Frisky, her dam is the home-bred Priestland 5555 Fever Melissa GP84. 

 

The showmanship classes were sponsored by Dennis Torrens of DT Services.  Beating off stiff competition to secure the overall championship was the intermediate showmanship class winner Rachel Corley from Monaghan. 

 

Max Davies said: “This girl was an easy winner. She did a great job, and was very attentive and calm throughout.”

Winning the reserve showmanship award was the second placed intermediate competitor Desmond McCorry from Aghalee. 

 

The honourable mention prize went to Karen Hunter, winner of the mature showmanship class.

 

Results from the judging ring…

 

Showmanship

Novice handler, under 8-years-old – 1, Adam Torrens; 2, Ava Montgomery; 3, Jack Orr; 4, Oliver Patton; 5, Thomas Torrens; 6, Sophia Cleland; 7, Zara Reid; 8, Lucie Taggart; 9, Will Patton; 10, Thomas Cleland.

 

Junior handler, under 12-years-old – 1, Brian Weatherup; 2, Tom McKnight; 3, Samuel Hanna; 4, Harry Orr; 5, James Patton; 6, Callum Reid; 7, Ben Reid; 8, Alexander Gordon; 9, Ryan McKnight.

 

Intermediate handler, aged 13 to 15-years-old – 1, Rachel Corley; 2, Desmond McCorry; 3, Ellie McLean.

 

Senior handler, aged 16 to 20-years-old – 1, John McLean; 2, Sarah Doupe; 3, Lauren Henry.

 

Mature handler, aged 21 to 26-years-old – 1, Karen Hunter; 2, Kate Richardson; 3, Hannah Lilburn; 4, Andrew Patton; 5, Heather Martin; 6, Rachel Martin; 7, Lauren Kelly.

 

Calf Classes

 

Heifer, born on or after 01/02/16 – 1, Messrs Kennedy, O’Neill and Simpson, Denholme Doorman Entice by Val Bisson Doorman; 2, Messrs Kennedy and Simpson, Maineview Doorman Lavish by Val Bisson Doorman; 3, and exhibitor-bred award, Conor McAufield, Lissue Doorman Fame 2 by Val Bisson Doorman.

 

Heifer, born between 01/12/15 and 31/01/16 – 1, and exhibitor-bred award, McLean Family, Priestland 5966 Frisky Melissa by Priestland Frisky; 2, William Crawford, Ardmore Mardigra Julieta by Mr Moviestar Mardigras; 3, H Patton and Sons, Ards Atwood Ambrosia by Maple Downs IGW Atwood.

 

Heifer, born between 01/10/15 and 30/11/15 – 1,  and exhibitor-bred award, George and Jason Booth, Beechview Integral Lalita Red by Blondin Integral; 2, McLean Family, Priestland 5932 Sammy Dellia by Gen-I-Beq Sammy; 3, Robert Stewart, Quinton McCutchen Jackie by De Su Bkm McCutchen.

 

Heifer, born between 01/08/15 and 30/09/15 – 1, and exhibitor-bred award, Noel McCorry and Sons, Derrymore Sammy Naomi by Gen I Beq Sammy; 2, Noel McCorry and Sons, Derrymore Fidelity Lulu Red by Delta Fidelity; 3, Norman and Nathanael McCollum, Bellemont Troy Roz by River Bridge Coop Troy.

 

Heifer, born between 01/06/15 and 31/07/15 – 1, and exhibitor-bred award, McLean Family, Priestland 5870 Sid Delicate by Pine Tree Sid; 2, Noel McCorry and Sons, Derrymore Artie Cameo by Greenlea Artie.

 

Heifer, born between 01/04/15 and 31/05/15 – 1, and exhibitor-bred award, Henry Family, Mostragee Destry Winnie by Scientific Destry.