TEAM work made the dream work for young Holstein breeders in the county when they travelled to the East of England Showground for a weekend of competitions.

Having not taken place since 2019, the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show returned for a fantastic showcase of expert young handlers and pedigree dairy calves from across the UK.

The pinnacle to an amazing weekend for members of The Border and Lakeland Holstein Club saw all handlers in the top six and all calves walk away with a rosette.

The show saw over 260 calves and 140 young handlers come together for the annual event which represents the Ayrshire, British Friesian, Brown Swiss, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey, Holstein and Jersey breeds.

With calves arriving from midday on the Friday, the young breeders were left to settle in with their animals before watching Showmanship demonstrations relating to their relevant breeds in the evening. These demonstrations, led by the Master Showmanship Judges provided a great insight into what each Judge would be looking for, along with lots of useful tips and tricks to help them place higher in the internationally recognised competition.

There were four classes for the Holstein leaders, split by age with Holstein Showmanship Judge Brian Weatherup selecting Matthew Hodgson from the Border & Lakeland Club as his winner of the Junior Class.

Sunday’s National Holstein Calf Show, judged by Ben Yates, featured over 140 calves that had qualified at Club Calf Shows across the UK. The December born Wolfa Doorman Celicia 2, owned by William Horsley from the Border & Lakeland Club, was awarded the Champion title.

Border & Lakeland also secured the Tidy Lines championship; Best Presented Large Stand reserve championship; Overall Stand Competition championship; Club Choice Award championship and Champion Team Award.

Other rosettes for Border & Lakeland saw Connor Wharton take second place in the Intermediate Holstein Showman; Jack Wilson sixth placing in Intermediate Holstein Showman; Will Horsley fourth in Mature Holstein Showman (Aged 21 to 27yrs).

The Holstein calf classes saw Wormanby Moment Mahala take a second place; Crossfell Crushabull Magic placed first; Ingleden Doc Joy third; Evening King Doc Ashlyn first; Woodcatt Chief Roxy eighth; Richaven Silver Squaw fifth. In the Red and White Holstein calf classes Woodcatt Rubels Toffee Red was placed sixth; Carldanton Integral Dilly placed first, and taking the overall Red and White Holstein championship.