Heavy rain forced the judging to be moved indoors at last Saturday’s Emerald Expo, which was staged at the Virginia Showgrounds, Co Cavan.

Now in its sixth year, this was the first time the Emerald Expo was staged at this impressive new facility, which was well received by exhibitors and spectators.

In the ring, judge Dennis Smith, from the Oakroyal herd in Devon, had the privilege of judging some of the top Holstein cattle in the country, which he claimed would “rank within the top echelons worldwide”.

Amid the strong championship lineup were Clonpaddin Windbrook Fame 2 bred by John and Gary Hurley, Arklow, Co Wicklow; Evergrange CF Sharon, winner of the junior three-year-old heifer-in-milk class, exhibited by Mervyn Eager, Co Dublin; Glaslough Uno Elizabeth exhibited by Michael Freeney; Hallow Advent Twizzle 3, winner of the mature class, exhibited by Philip Jones, Gorey, Co Wexford; Drumlina Atwood Megan, winner of the senior three-year-old cow-in-milk, exhibited by the Boyd-O’Neill-Timlin-Moore syndicate; Monamore Seavers Iris, winner of the four-year-old cow-in-milk class exhibited by James Kelly, Drogheda, Co Louth; Bunacloy V-B Doorman Alioli, exhibited by Mike Megan, Co Longford; Hallow Attic Christina exhibited by Philip Jones, Gorey, and Mike Megan’s Bunacloy Windbrook Tipsy.

Describing the lineup “as a wonderful spectacle and testament to the longevity and productivity of Holstein Friesian breeding”, Dennis tapped forward Hallow Advent Twizzle 3 EX95 as the 2016 supreme Emerald Expo champion.

Exhibited by Philip Jones, the champion is an eight-year-old daughter of Advent and has produced over 6,100kg of milk solids in five lactations.

No stranger to winning, she took the honourable mention award at the 2015 Emerald Expo and was crowned reserve interbreed champion at the 2015 RUAS Winter Fair. She also took the exhibitor-bred and best udder awards last Saturday.

The reserve supreme champion went to the winner of the four-year-old cow-in-milk class, Monamore Seavers Iris, exhibited by James Kelly.

The intermediate champion and winner of the junior two-year-old heifer-in-milk class, Bunacloy V-B Doorman Alioli, exhibited by Mike Megan, Co Longford, took the honourable mention award.

Results

Handler championship

Champion: Rachel Corley, Smithboro, Co Monaghan.

Reserve champion: Jamie Keenan, Threemilehouse, Co Monaghan.

Honourable mention: Hollie Keenan, Threemilehouse, Co Monaghan.

Junior championship

Champion: Coolnamara Fever Z exhibited by Liam Murphy, Fenagh, Co Carlow.

Reserve champion: Cahirmee McCutchen Presence exhibited by Patrick Smith, Doneraile, Co Cork.

Honourable mention: Ballyboy Embrace Carmen exhibited by James Sinnott, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

Intermediate championship

Champion: Bunacloy V-B Doorman Alioli exhibited by Mike Megan, Co Longford.

Reserve champion: Drumlina Atwood Megan, Boyd-O’Neill-Timlin-Moore syndicate.

Honourable mention: Clonpaddin Jll Robin exhibited by Garry and John Hurley, Arklow, Co Wicklow.

Coloured breed championship

Champion: Suirvalley OT Starlight exhibited by Patrick Gaynor, Mullagh, Co Cavan.

Reserve: Cuthill Towers Willie Pam exhibited by Christian Keenan, Threemilehouse, Co Monaghan.

Best group of three (exhibitor owned)

1: David and Kenneth Boyd, Glaslough, Co Monaghan.

2: James Kelly, Drogheda, Co Louth.

3: Philip Jones, Hallow, Co Wexford.

EBI championship

Champion: Monamore PNH Darlene 1 exhibited by James Kelly, Drogheda, Co Louth.

Reserve: Clongowes Sid Almeric 2 exhibited by Bryan O’Connor, Kanturk.

Lakelands premier breeder: Christian Keenan, Co Monaghan.

Lakelands premier exhibitor: James Kelly, Drogheda, Co Louth.