THE long trip north from Suffolk to Carlisle, certainly proved worthwhile for brother and sister duo, David Burroughs and Margaret Vale, when a cow from their Oaklands herd clinched the red, white and blue sash for the second year in succession, at the National British Friesian Show.

Flying the flag this year for the family's 360-cow herd was the second calver, Oakalby Quadrant Cathy 50 a previously unshown entry paraded by herdsman Robert Ives. Sired by Deangate Quadrant and bred from a previous home-bred Cathy by Windemere, she was shown giving 37 litres per day having calved down in September. She classified VG87 as a heifer.

Just pipped at the post, was the Scottish-bred Lismulligan Priscilla 48, from Ian and Gillian Blamire and son Tom, Thursby, Carlisle, but bred by Basil and Adam Lawson, Fife. She lifted the reserve honours having stood second in her class to the champion. Bought here as a maiden heifer in 2014, Priscilla is bred from the Ex94 twice former champion here, Lismulligan Priscilla 41 and sired by Morcourt Hilton A1.

One of just six Friesians cows in the herd that run alongside a larger Holstein unit, Priscilla 48 is giving 42litres per day having calved in November. A breeder into the bargain, her first calf was the top priced Friesian bull sold here 18months ago, at 5000gns.

Honourable mention was RW and J Bell's Nerewater Gladlass 33, a similarly aged cow by Nerewater Launcher from Nerewater, Wigton, Cumbria.

LEADINGawards

Maiden heifer – 1, T Barrell and A Malt’s Gemini Ignitor Primrose 3, by Dechmont Ignitor; 2, B Lawson and Son’s Lismulligan Wendy 32, by Raby Jazzman. In-calf heifer – 1 and reserve mention, RS and WA Howarth’s Lismulligan Priscilla, by Blackisle Garve; 2, and honourable mention junior, T Barrell and A Malt’s Gemini Solo Cher, by Collycroft Solo; 3, B Lawson and Sons’ Adams Cherry 25, by Lismuligan Mufasa.

Two-year-old in milk – 1, B Lawson and Sons’ Lismulligan Renee 108, by Blackisle Benloyal; 2, I and GM Blamire’s Whinnow Sold Pauline 2, by Collycroft Colo. Three-year-old/four-year-old – 1 and champion, Oakalby’s Oakalby Quadrant Cathy 50, by Deangate Quadrant; 2 and honourable mention, Nerewater’s Nerewater Gladlass 33, by Nerewater Launcher; 3, Oakalby’s Oakalby Stour Britto 48, by Oakalby Stour. Senior cow in milk – 1 and reserve, I and GM Blamire’s Lismulligan Priscilla 48, by Morcourt Hilton A1A1; 2, Oakalby’s Oakalby Hiltons Ruth 82, by Morcourt Hilton; 3, RS and WA Howarth’s Raby Jasmine 59, by Blackisle Garve. Born pre Mar 1, 2010 – 1, RS and WA Howarth’s Blackisle Olivia 81, by Failand Breadwin.