FROME SHOW 2013
This years Frome Show is one that will live long in the memory. Not only was every class won by a
really good example of the breed, the day culminated with the Guernsey Champion winning the
coveted Supreme award.
It started with the class for calves under 6 months, which was won by Hinton Nancy , a very sweet
calf by Grumpy Novak , that had the edge in style and dairy quality over three , good, strong ,
calves from the Tregallant Herd.
The next class was for calves between 6 and 12 months. The winner was Bickfield Linda 68 , a
superb Andante daughter. She was a very correct heifer and was at least 4 months younger than
her three really useful rivals, yet was a clear winner.
The Maiden Heifer over 12 months class contained only one animal, the Tilley’s Tregallant Joker
Princess Beatrice , by Tregallant Joker, a nice, deep bodied calf .
Following that , came the Heifer In-calf class won by the Addington Funds Hamps Valley Annabelle
7th . This Ghengis heifer has size , style, and strength but was pushed hard by the Adams Wiltown
Claudia , who I was quite impressed with. This Mint heifer is developing a very promising udder and
the only thing that lets her down is that she carries a little too much condition.
On to the Dry Cow Class, which was won by a very impressive cow from the Durbin’s , Bickfield Lisa
16th , by June’s Royal Oak. She had size, dairyness, a lovely udder, and paraded really well,
completely overshadowing a useful cow from the Tilley’s, Tregallant Elizabeth , by Royal Highness.
The Heifer In-milk class was the closest of the day in the Guernsey classes. However Bickfield
prevailed once again , with the Mint heifer , Liz 16th , who just had a little more stretch, and style
than the smart Tregallant Ezekiel Aftergold.
There was only one Junior Cow In- milk , the Durbin’s Bickfield Titiana , by Bickfield Luxury
Ambionic. She was a tremendous example of the breed , well balanced throughout, with a lovely top
line , a super rump , good locomotion , and a sound udder .
The winner of the Senior Cow Class , however , was even more impressive , with all the previous
cows strengths combined with a deeper body and a stronger udder , that exhibited great height and
width in the rear bag. She was Bickfield Venessa 37th , a daughter of Icy Chiller . On returning home ,
I was most pleased to find that her Dam was by my old friend Toby [ Sunninghill Park Talisman ] , a
bull I was responsible for breeding . Her only opponent was a good bodied , older cow , Tregallant
Clarkia by Buzzard .
The Pairs Class produced an easy win for the Durbin’s two outstanding milk cows , with the very
smart pair of in-calf heifers from the Adams in second place . The class was completed by a good
pair of cows, and a pair of calves from the Tilley’s .
Going on to the Breed Championship , it was very pleasing that each class had provided a very
impressive winner, with a lot of potential for the future. Having said that , Bickfield Venessa 37th was
an easy choice as Champion , as the outstanding cow in milk. Picking the reserve was not so easy as
there were several candidates , but I decided to go with the junior in milk cow , Bickfield Titiana.
Following the Guernsey classes I was honoured to be asked to judge the extensive Inter – Breed
classes held at this Show, culminating in the Supreme Championship. When it came to the Senior
Cow class, the Guernsey Champion had been entered , alongside the Jersey Champion, and the
Ayrshire Reserve Champion . With very small margins involved, and the Jersey overstocked , I felt
that the Bickfield cow was the better balanced throughout and had fewer faults, so I placed her first.
The Exhibitor bred Championship was next and the extra entries did nothing to alter the result.
The Supreme Championship commenced with the arrival of the Champion Ayrshire , Holstein, and
Shorthorn, and also an Irish Moiled heifer. It soon became clear it was between the Guernsey and
the Ayrshire, so I lined them up together to compare them better . The Ayrshire had better teat
quality , but the Guernsey had a superior rump and a higher, wider , rear udder . So it was with great
pleasure I was able to tap out Bickfield Venessa 37th as the Supreme Champion.
What a great return to the Show ring , after four years absent for the Durbin and Sales families,
especially to laura who did a fantastic job producing the cattle , spot on , for the day.
Congratulations to everybody involved.