The older she gets, the better she looks!                                      

Phil Davies of Gornal made the decisions at this year’s Royal Welsh which in recent years he has done at the Royal Show and the European Show in Brussels.

Leading the way in the maiden heifers was the Davies/Pilkington entry Smiddiehill CC Erle, who judge Davies admired for her strength, locomotion and loin over the second placed Painley Leduc Tammy 28 from the Barlow’s string.

The in calf heifer class was led by Weeton Merchant Oralie from the Eaton’s of Smiddiehill. Our judge admired her power, width of rump, clean bone and locomotion, placing her above Wiltor Derry Annette from the husband and wife team of David and Claire Jones.

Senior in milk heifers were led by Ridgefield Progress Rose from John and Val Barker of Groby Lodge, showing great dairy strength and balance between body and udder. Furze CB Allen Bertha, from Paul and Elena Davies followed in second place.

Junior in milk heifers were led by Woodmarsh Gibson Lyme 14 from the Eaton’s of Smiddiehill, everything the judge wanted in a young heifer in milk with great locomotion and a perfect udder. The Wilson’s of Tregibby stood in second place with the freshly calved Leachfield Leduc Dark Cocoa catching the eye with her dairy strength and locomotion.

The junior cow in calf class was led by Solfach Cousteau Lappel from A & H Wilson who our judge explained had a wider rear udder and very good locomotion. The Jones’ of Wiltor came a close second with Brockafield Allen Barbara, showing lots of style, dairy character and depth of rib.

With only one entry in the senior cow in calf, the homebred Tregibby Thorn 5 was commended by Philip Davies for her great conformation for a ten-year-old cow having had six calves.

Primo Jed Celeste from Smiddiehill was the second calver preferred by judge Davies for her ring presence, locomotion and rear udder height. Second place was Cloudnine Leduc Cherish from the Ridgefield team, who Davies praised for her length of body and overall power.

Ed Seaton took the honours in the third calvers with Hobson Spirit Mona preferred for her bone quality, topline and excellent rump. Second place was the Davies’ entry Saxelby Aaron Rosina, who had great overall length of body and dairy character.

The senior cow in milk class was next and Dalesend Storm Maude came out in tremendous form to claim first place, praised by judge Davies for her ring presence, style and locomotion. Second was the homebred Noremead Progress Lys from the team of Robert Cooper.

Philip Davies gave all his championship contenders a final look before selecting his winners. Best Udder went to Woodmarsh Gibson Lyme 14, heifer champion, then to no surprise to the ringside, he tapped forward Maude for his Grand Champion, saying she was a fantastic example of a Holstein cow and a comfortable winner. Reserve position went to Hobson Spirit Mona and Honourable Mention to Woodmarsh Gibson Lyme 14.