Two Canadian teams – who had the toughest road to WDE this year – dominated the Grand Champion line-up in the Ayrshire Show at Madison yesterday.
Sisters Vicky and Bianca Foley, from Piopolis, in Quebec, were on the grounds to watch two of their family’s cows – from their milking herd of 50 – win Grand and Reserve Grand Champion in what they describe as the “best day of their lives”.
The Grand Champion was the winning five-year-old, Vieux Village Gentleman Joy. Reserve Grand was the winning four-year-old, Vieux Village G Montana. Honourable Mention was the Intermediate Champion, B-Wil Kingsire Willow, owned by Pierre Boulet, from Montmagny, Quebec.
Bianca Foley said their goal at the start of the week was for Joy and Montana – who are both sired by Gentleman – to win their class. Everything else was a bonus. They wouldn’t be drawn on who was their personal favourite.
“We like both. They are friends. No matter which one wins, we are happy,” Bianca said.
They said their father, Florent, was emotional over the phone when they let him know that their day at the office couldn’t have gone any better. The family had trusted the McKinven team at Lookout Farm to prepare their cows. The 20-hour transit (without chores), showing early in the week (giving the cows less time to settle), and the quarantine ahead faded into insignificance as the reality of the victory started to sink in.
“Yes, we were worried, but we wanted to come. We have a heifer barn that is empty, because the heifers are outside, so they will stay there by themselves until they test clear.”
They said not coming was never an option for them, and they didn’t hesitate to put the pair into Lookout’s hands.
“We know Callum. He is the perfect cowman, and we are never worried when they are with him,” Bianca said.
Callum said that Joy – who is from one of Vieux Village’s strongest show families – had been slow to start eating since arriving. He said she got on the programme once Vicky arrived, and “gave her a hug”.
Callum first met Florent when he prepared and led his cow in 1984 – whipping out his phone to prove it with a photo. He was thrilled to be able to deliver the perfect one-two result for his friends.
“They’ve been with our string for two years now, I’m good friends with them and they trusted me to take their cows for them,” he said. “They are not really people to settle with just anyone because they are so passionate. We’re thrilled for them.”
While the sisters couldn’t be drawn on their favourite, it was the judge’s express job to do exactly that. Brandon Ferry, from Hilbert, Wisconsin, said he couldn’t go past his five-year-old.
“She’s one word – balanced,” he said. “She is so correct, she blends so harmoniously through her parts, she’s dairy strength, with a great foot and leg, and a beautiful mammary system.
“This great juddered four-year-old is so, so wet. With that beautiful mammary system. My Honourable Mention [from the Intermediate show], her udder from earlier to now hasn’t moved. It’s gotten higher and wider, and the crease hasn’t gone anywhere.”
Judge Ferry and his associate, Michelle Upchurch, Hebron, Ill.placed 327-head yesterday [2023 numbers were 283].
Among the competitive show was the 2003 Supreme Champion of the Junior Ayrshire Show, Toppglen Wishful Thinking-ET, exhibited by Tanner, Brennan, Marissa, Logan Topp, West Salem, OH. Wishful Thinking – who has a slew of results at WDE – won the production class, and she happily chewed her cud in the ring while the photos were taken at the end of the day…
Premier Breeder: Palmyra Farm, Hagerstown, MD
Premier Exhibitor: Glenmar-Dale Farms, Mark & Becky Brown, Fennimore, WI
Premier Sire: Bear-Ayr Distinct Kingsire
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