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Irish Examiner

Paula Hynes: The ultimate 'sister act' at Emerald Expo

After the most magical break away in the sunshine where we made memories that will last a lifetime, we returned home to rather cooler, wetter weather and a busy farm yard as last-minute preparations were underway with the show team, which was heading to Emerald Expo, which was our first show in Ireland for 2025. We had contacted David Clarke Livestock a few months ago about the possibility of transporting the animals to Virginia for us, as we knew we would possibly be taking a few milkers along with a number of heifers. The milkers always need plenty of room when travelling to ensure they arrive safely at a show, especially on a long journey. With such a big team heading to the show, it was all hands on deck. Katherine Jenkinson, who is in partnership with Georgie in the UK, flew over to lend a hand. As usual, Richard Jones was fitting for us, and we also drafted in Pauric Coleman, who worked with us at the Winter Fair in Belfast. Pauric is a huge asset, knows exactly what needs to be done at a show and is also very good with the cows. It is always great to have people on the team who share the same passion and respect for cows. With all the cows travelling to the show confirmed pregnant the day before travelling, along with our maiden jersey heifer, it is even more crucial that they are safe and minded as they are carrying some exciting calves. The truck arrived with us early on the Thursday morning, and it was a quick team effort with driver Brian to get the trailer was bedded down with straw. Acclaim had a pen to herself, the two jersey milkers travelled in the next pen and then the young heifers were separated between two pens with all animals haltered for travelling. Seeing the truck arrive at the show, it was a joy to see all the cows lying down, relaxing. The team kicked into gear quickly with me, Pete and Georgie unpacking our trailer, Pauric doing the final work to the cow beds and installing the portable water drinkers while Richard, Becky and Katherine took care of washing all the team. Emerald Expo is such an enjoyable show. Pat and Mary Gaynor, along with the community, put in a huge effort to organise the show. There are always ample amounts of straw to ensure animals can relax in comfy beds, and most importantly, there is ample room to take animals out for exercise, which is crucial when animals have travelled long distances and also spend their day haltered in a cow stall. Animals are prioritised at Emerald Expo, and there is always wonderful hospitality for competitors with a show dinner the night before. Show morning was an early start, all the young heifers were taken out for a jog once sunrise was upon us and the milkers were given brief walks to keep them loose. Georgie was first class into the ring at 8:30am for the Junior Showmanship with a Crushable sired autumn born heifer who was on her first outing, the hard work paid of as Georgie clinched the red rosette. She returned to the ring again later with Sapphire for her heifer class, where they clinched second place with Rouge standing in fourth. With all the young Holstein heifers shown, it was time to get the Jerseys into the ring, the first of which was Khaleesi in the colourbreed incalf heifer class, which she won. Khaleesi had a really successful year last season, claiming eight first placings. She went on to stand Junior Colourbreed Champion, which we have won for the last three years. Moving on to the Colourbreed milking classes. Georgie was trying her hand at showing milkers again and was taking Rathard Chocochip Kali in the heifer in milk class. We have a number of first lactation Jerseys to show this season, Kali calved in January and is a sister to Kasey, the first lactation we showed in 2024, Kali had never been to a show before so we were hoping all the work over the last few months would stand to her, she claimed the top spot and also received best udder and best exhibitor bred. Becky was next in with Kasey for the Colourbreed cow in milk and followed her sister's success with top spot. This year was the first time Fleckvieh cows were shown at Emerald Expo, and it was wonderful to see another dairy breed being exhibited. The Senior Colourbreed championship also included the Fleckvieh cows, as judge Andrew Cope narrowed his championship contenders down to the final four, we had our three jerseys still in contention. Andrew tapped out Kasey as champion, with Kali taking reserve, and a Fleckvieh cow taking honourable mention. This is Kasey's third consecutive year winning a championship at Expo, standing junior champion in 2023 and Senior champion in 2024. The highest EBI animal in each class qualified for an overall EBI class, so Pauric showed Kasey for us where she claimed third place, beating a number of Holstein cows. Acclaim was third in the Senior Three-Year-Old class, and then Becky showed Jones Lambda Fame in the Exhibitor Bred Championship for Gary Jones. She is a really sweet, compact first lactation with loads of style and a superb udder. It was nice to see her in person, as we own a sister to her. With a successful show complete, all the cows were pictured and then milked so as they could relax and lie down before the journey home. David Clarke's truck arrived at the show at 5:30pm as planned, and with driver Eoin having the trailer already bedded down, and we had all the show gear packed in our trailer, it was halters on, and the team were loaded and ready for home. We arrived home at 11pm and all the animals were given a brief stroll to loosen them out after they were walked of the truck. Life often gives us personal memories at shows, seeing Georgie and Becky as sisters showing sisters Kali and Kasey to win champion and reserve champion colourbreed was special along with seeing Georgie win her first ever class with a milker, she has been chomping at the bit to show milkers. With the show halters hung up for a few weeks, before we know it, the agricultural shows will be upon us for a busy summer ahead. Read More