One cow was undoubtedly the star of the International Guernsey show on Friday. Wee Acres Spider Clara Bell, owned by Cara Woloohojian of Rhode Island, was the Senior and Grand Champion of the Junior and Open Shows. This 6-year-old cow was deserving of her clean sweep. Judge Gary Estes of Missouri and his Associate Judge Bob Griggs of Oklahoma recognized that there were a lot of great young cows in the show, but that Clara Bell is a tremendous cow and a handy winner. With 217 animals in the show, Estes also commented, "Maybe we didn't have all the numbers but we had the quality."
The quality began with the heifer show on Thursday afternoon. Maplehurst Judgements Brilliant, owned by Megan Bushman of Iowa, was chosen as the Junior Champion of the Junior show. Reserve went to Hartdale Keystone Summer, owned by Lauren T Robison of Illinois. Brilliant was also Junior Champion of the Open Show, followed by Reserve Champion Bluemoons L Darby, owned by Bill and Linda Blue of Ohio.
Knapps Hillpoint Regis Tweetie-ET, owned by Austin and Landen Knapp of Iowa, was Intermediate Champion of the Junior Show. She was followed by Prairie Moon Y Antebella, owned by Lars, Landon and Leslie Sivesind, also of Iowa. In the Open Show, Intermediate Champion was awarded to Millborne Hillpoint S Fiesta-ET, owned by P. Morey Miller, Mike Hellenbrand and Peter Vail of Connecticut. Up The Creek Super Lux Kazoom-ET, owned by Karen Anderson of Wisconsin, was Reserve.
As for the older cows, Clara Bell went undefeated, but there were some quality cows standing next to her. Knapps Regis Tambourine-ET, owned by Austin and Landen Knapp, was Reserve to Clara Bell for Senior and Grand Champion of the Junior Show. Austin and Landen were also honored with Premier Breeder and Exhibitor. In the Open Show, Adams Creek Hillpoint Marsha-ET, owned by Adams Creek, Basse and Hillpoint of Wisconsin, was Reserve Senior Champion. Senior 2-year-old Millborne Hillpoint S Fiesta-ET was Reserve Grand Champion, a cow that Estes said has a great future.
The author is the 25th Hoard's Dairyman editorial intern. She will be a senior at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. At Cal Poly, Taylor is majoring in dairy science with an agricultural communications minor. Pires grew up on a 500-cow dairy in Merced County, Calif.
