JENNALYN herd wins first OVERALL!
We had another memorable day at the 30th National Simmental Show at Tullamore last Sunday with a smaller than usual entry culminating in 4 National titles, 1 Reserve National title, Overall Senior Male, Overall Senior Female and Overall Female and ultimately the Overall Supreme Champion of the show!
It was not the 12th time that Clonagh Simmentals won the Overall it was in fact the very 1st time that Jennalyn Simmentals took the gold medal! Leading the way out of the 111 Simmental entries on the day was “Jennalyn Nora Jean”
“My Nora” as she is known at home is a rising 5 year old cow currently rearing her 3rd calf, a bull by Coltfield Murry. She is no stranger to success having been unbeaten in her National classes to date as a Yearling heifer, Junior cow (the only animal to have won this award twice) and now a Senior cow. She is by Manor Park Hansome out of the Banwy T-Rex dam, Jennalyn Flora Nora. Her grandam Ballybane Nora was the foundation purchase of the Jennalyn herd 23 years ago at the Ballybane Production sale of the late John Connaughton. There were tears of absolute overwhelming joy upon getting the tap from judge Jim Goldie and it is most definitely a moment that Mrs. Behan will never ever forget!
Prior to this, the rest of the gang had a successful days showing with our two junior cows coming up tops in the Junior cow class. Leading the way here was Jack’s pet, “Clonagh Precious Gloria P” winning the National Junior cow. Presh is by Manor Park Hansome out of Curaheen Gloria P, a former Intermediate National Champion she is rising 4 years old and rearing her second calf, a bull by Clonagh Direct Debit. Taking reserve was “Jennalyn Rain Dancer” a rising 3 year old rearing her first calf, a bull by Clonagh Direct Debit. She is also no stranger to success having won Nationals a Weanling calf, Overall Junior Female and Intermediate heifer and we look forward to seeing her maturing in to a senior cow!
Last of the females was “Clonagh Radiant Trixie” taking the National Senior Heifer title. Again no stranger to success she was a first prizewinner at the National show as a calf was pipping to the post as junior heifer last year by her penmate. She is a daughter of former Overall Simmental of the Year, Clonagh Majestic Trixie by Coltfield Murry, again we don’t think you’ve seen the last of this lady!
Honourable mention needs to go to “Deerview Tiffany Queen” winning the National Yearling title. We may not have a claim to her but we take huge pride in her owner, a super stockman who has been part of the family almost as long as we’ve had our own children (even if he doesn’t like mushrooms!) Well done Cian, first of many to come!
Not to be outdone by the ladies our two junior bulls held their own in their National class taking 1st and 3rd spots! Leading the way was “Clonagh Top Man Explorer” winning the National Junior Bull title and later Overall Senior Male. She is the last calf to be born from twice Tullamore show Champion Clonagh Dora the Explorer and is by Coltfield Murry. Taking third spot was “Clonagh Tenacious Murry” again by Coltfield Murry and out of a former National Champion Clonagh Jessie Girl. Both of these bulls are currently for sale!
As always these days don’t happen themselves! We are nothing without the team behind us both at home with our parents and at the show. In no particular order thank you to … The Behan and Stone families Trevor Chadwick, Padraig Gowing, Cian Martin , William Dodd and Lewis Jamie Dodd , Ryan and Shannon Ryan Gilmour ,Alan Burleigh Irish Simmental Cattle Society ring stewards and staff, Tullamore Show.
