It was back to back supreme championships for Coolroehouse Abbott Ann at the IHFA Emerald Expo held at the exquisite Virginia Show Centre venue in Co Cavan, on Saturday.
Having reigned in 2025, the five-year-old Holstein Friesian cow in-milk fought off some terrific competition to claim the ultimate prize once again, as well as receiving the award for best udder.
Exhibited by Paul Murphy and Emma Behan from Co Cork, this outstanding cow was bred by John and Ursula Forrest.
Out of Coolroehouse Halogen Ann, the Willsbro Abbott daughter caught the eye of judge David Wright from the moment she entered the ring, leaving the UK judge in little doubt.
Only one other cow has accomplished back-to-back championships at the Emerald Expo, that was Laurelmore Duplex Impala in 2014 and 2015 for John Barrett and sons.
Reserve senior champion
Standing reserve to her was Euro Showtime Merrill, a Holstein cow in-milk exhibited by Daniel and Emer Curtin from Co Kerry. Just over three years old, Merrill is a daughter of Jacobs Showtime-RC while her dam is Monamore Caspers Merrill. She also went on to claim to the best exhibitor bred award.
For the honourable mention, David Wright tapped out Paul, Matthew and Marguerite Flanagan’s four-year-old Holstein cow-in-milk, Tubbertoby Barolo Joy EX 90 1E. This fantastic broad cow is a daughter of Claynock Barolo SG and Tubbertoby Diamond B Joy ET EX 92 2E.
Emer and Daniel Curtin holding the Exhibitor Bred Champion trophy for Euro Showtime Merrill shown by Steve McLoughlin with judge David Wright.
Intermediate champion
Garry and Izzy Jones went back to Co Wexford with the intermediate championship under their belt for their November 2023-born heifer, Jones Eye Candy Ella ET. A daughter of MB-Luckyday Eye Candy ET, this heifer in-milk is out of the homebred dam, Jones Chief Espresso IMP.
Garry and Izzy’s success did not stop there, as they were also awarded the coloured breeds senior championship for Jones Ferdinand Cupid, a Lightning Ridge Ferdinand daughter.
Junior champions
In the junior section, SBG Parfect C Carlin took the championship honours for Ann and Leanne Paul from Co Derry. A daughter of Siemers Rengd Parfect, this September 2024-born heifer is out of the well-bred dam, Boghill Glamour Hurricane Carlin C ET.
Local breeders Patrick and Edwin Gaynor stood top of the line in the coloured breeds junior championship with Clandeboye Evita Roulette, a February 2025-born daughter of Cairnbrae Roulette.
Young handlers
In a tremendous display of over 40 young handlers, Cody Paul from Co Derry came out on top, winning the overall champion handler.
It was back to back supreme championships for Coolroehouse Abbott Ann at the IHFA Emerald Expo held at the exquisite Virginia Show Centre venue in Co Cavan, on Saturday.
Having reigned in 2025, the five-year-old Holstein Friesian cow in-milk fought off some terrific competition to claim the ultimate prize once again, as well as receiving the award for best udder.
Exhibited by Paul Murphy and Emma Behan from Co Cork, this outstanding cow was bred by John and Ursula Forrest.
Out of Coolroehouse Halogen Ann, the Willsbro Abbott daughter caught the eye of judge David Wright from the moment she entered the ring, leaving the UK judge in little doubt.
Only one other cow has accomplished back-to-back championships at the Emerald Expo, that was Laurelmore Duplex Impala in 2014 and 2015 for John Barrett and sons.
Reserve senior champion
Standing reserve to her was Euro Showtime Merrill, a Holstein cow in-milk exhibited by Daniel and Emer Curtin from Co Kerry. Just over three years old, Merrill is a daughter of Jacobs Showtime-RC while her dam is Monamore Caspers Merrill. She also went on to claim to the best exhibitor bred award.
For the honourable mention, David Wright tapped out Paul, Matthew and Marguerite Flanagan’s four-year-old Holstein cow-in-milk, Tubbertoby Barolo Joy EX 90 1E. This fantastic broad cow is a daughter of Claynock Barolo SG and Tubbertoby Diamond B Joy ET EX 92 2E.
Emer and Daniel Curtin holding the Exhibitor Bred Champion trophy for Euro Showtime Merrill shown by Steve McLoughlin with judge David Wright.
Intermediate champion
Garry and Izzy Jones went back to Co Wexford with the intermediate championship under their belt for their November 2023-born heifer, Jones Eye Candy Ella ET. A daughter of MB-Luckyday Eye Candy ET, this heifer in-milk is out of the homebred dam, Jones Chief Espresso IMP.
Garry and Izzy’s success did not stop there, as they were also awarded the coloured breeds senior championship for Jones Ferdinand Cupid, a Lightning Ridge Ferdinand daughter.
Junior champions
In the junior section, SBG Parfect C Carlin took the championship honours for Ann and Leanne Paul from Co Derry. A daughter of Siemers Rengd Parfect, this September 2024-born heifer is out of the well-bred dam, Boghill Glamour Hurricane Carlin C ET.
Local breeders Patrick and Edwin Gaynor stood top of the line in the coloured breeds junior championship with Clandeboye Evita Roulette, a February 2025-born daughter of Cairnbrae Roulette.
Young handlers
In a tremendous display of over 40 young handlers, Cody Paul from Co Derry came out on top, winning the overall champion handler.
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