A trip to Italy for the Open Junior Show has proved triumphant for the team of Holstein Young Breeders (HYB) with the UK winning both the Junior Champion and Senior Champion titles. With all team members in the top ten for the overall results, the team have led the way against their competition from across Europe.

Steven Harris from Bodmin, Cornwall and Vikki Murch from Umberleigh, Devon, were selected to represent the UK Holstein Young Breeders (HYB) team at the highly esteemed dairy show in Cremona which takes place annually.

Twenty-five-year-old Steven has been in HYB for nine years and his highlights include winning the HYB Senior Linear Competition at the 2018 Weekend Rally and finishing in the top five ABAB Showmanship classes in 2017 and 2018. Steven works on his family farm where they milk 200 head and he has been investing in some great cow families to develop the bloodlines.

Fifteen-year-old Vikki has been in HYB for seven years and is extremely passionate about the dairy industry and showing cattle. A particular highlight for Vikki was coming third in the B Team’s clipping element of this year’s Field-2-Foto competition with an impressive score. Currently studying for her GCSEs, Vikki would like to go to agricultural college and then secure a job within the dairy industry in the future.

Read more: Fantastic showcase and results for All Breeds All Britain Calf Show

Calves were drawn on Wednesday, October 23 and the young breeders became acquainted with their animals ahead of the first day of competition.

On the first day, competitors participated in a timed clipping competition before presenting their calves in the ring to be inspected.

Vikki, who was competing as a Junior, came sixth whilst Steven, who was competing as a Senior, came third in his class.

Friday saw the competitors back in the ring for the showmanship classes with Vikki coming a very well deserved fourth place in the Junior Competition and Steven coming second in the Senior Competition for his ‘overall performance and being extremely quick to set-up’.

Alongside the clipping and showmanship, the competition also focused on stock judging where Vikki came 15th in the Juniors and Steven came third in the Seniors.

The final results are as follows:

Vikki Murch

Clipping: 6th place (24.75pts)

Showmanship: 4th place (37.05pts)

Stock judging: 15th place (1.74pts)

Quiz: 5pts

Junior Class placing: 6th place (out of 17 competitors)

Overall placing: 9th place (out of 35 competitors)

Steven Harris

Clipping: 3rd place (31.1pts)

Showmanship: 2nd place (42.5pts)

Stock judging: 9th place (5.6pts)

Quiz: 5pts

Senior Class placing: 4th place (out of 18 competitors)

Overall placing: 6th place (out of 35 competitors)