Kansas Junior Takes Home Champion Honors
The green shavings in Freedom Hall act as a catalyst for cherished memories and blessed thoughts for Jersey enthusiasts worldwide during the first weekend of November, especially the Jersey youth.
This year was no different, as the world outside of the Kentucky Expo Center ceased to exist to the 163 Jersey juniors vying for the top honors at the national show. The crowd waited patiently ringside and online watching the livestream as Judge Louie Cozzitorto, Jackson, Tenn., asked his consultant, Jenny Thomas of North Lewisburg, Ohio, to walk out and shake the hands of his champions. Thomas congratulated Sophie Leach, Linwood, Kan., and Ho-Crawf Andreas Joplin as the National Grand Champion of The All American Junior Show. Thomas then turned to Alleah Anderson, Cumberland, Wis., and congratulated she and Meadowridge Triple Crown Fae as the Reserve National Grand Champion.
The pair of three-year-olds, one junior and the other senior, took home the most coveted prizes of the 69th All American Junior Jersey Show on November 6, 2021. In addition to being named Champion, “Joplin” went on to be named Supreme Cow of the junior show. This is the second consecutive year for the Leach family to take top honors at the national junior show. Last year Sophie’s older sister, Erin, took top honors with homebred LC Success Abilene.
“Joplin” has a unique story for the Leach family. In May 2019, the family farm was hit by an EF4 tornado destroying the barn and causing the loss of a few of the family’s most loved Registered Jerseys. A group of breeders, spearheaded by Dusty and Nicole Schirm, Ashville, Ohio, put together an online benefit auction to help cover some of the damages. One of the lots was the syndication of “Joplin” to raise money. After the sale, the Schirm’s donated “Joplin” to sisters, Sophie, Erin and Taylor.
“Joplin” was successful as a heifer in the showring as she was named All American Junior Calf in 2018, Reserve Junior All American Junior Yearling in 2019, and then was third junior two-year-old at the 2020 All American Junior Show.
“This cow has got style, balance and strength, and has a really good udder,” said Cozzitorto of his National Champion.
“Joplin” and Leach received a $500 cash award from NAILE. The AJCA matched the NAILE award, making the total cash award $1,000. They also received a $500 certificate from TransOva, Sioux City, Iowa. The Jersey Barnyard, LaGrange, Texas, donated a four foot aluminum showbox.
Anderson and “Fae” received the Legendairy Farms Trophy for Reserve Grand Champion. Capturing the Honorable Mention Grand Champion title was WF Valentino Lokie, shown by Reagan Jackson, Clear Brook, Va.
Cozzitorto was tasked with placing the 247 Registered Jerseys shown in the junior show. He previously judged the Illinois, Maryland, and Michigan state shows and served as an associate judge for the 2018 National Jersey Jug Futurity. He has also judged numerous county, district, and regional shows and judged internationally in Australia. Cozzitorto worked as a type traits appraiser for the American Jersey Cattle Association for several years.
Jenny Thomas, consultant, and her husband Nathan, their three children, Colton, Kendall, and Camryn, and Nathan’s family own and operate Triple-T Holsteins, a 100-cow dairy consisting of Holsteins and Jerseys. Thomas has judged at many local, state, and regional shows for Holsteins, Jerseys, and several other breeds. Thomas was a professional cattle photographer for 10 years before becoming part-time. She now works at Select Sires Inc., as a communications specialist.
The All American Junior Jersey Show is the largest single-breed dairy cattle show for youth held in the world. The youth begin their morning at 8:00 a.m. with showmanship and then move into the heifer show and continue in the early afternoon with the cows. Following the conclusion of the show, the Supreme Champion class was held at 5:00 p.m. After that, the youth hurried to the Pot O’Gold Sale in the West Hall at 6:30 p.m. to make investments in their future through the consignments.
Sunday morning juniors were invited to attend the All American Youth Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn. During the ceremony, more than 60 Jersey youth were recognized for their achievements and received cash awards totaling more than $63,000.
Junior All American and Reserve Junior All Americans Recognized
During the championship classes, a total of 28 Registered Jerseys were recognized by the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) with the designation of Junior All American or Reserve Junior All American as the large ringside audience watched, along with an untold number of people across the world viewing the ceremonies on streaming live video provided by the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).
Each first-place individual was presented a custom-designed navy and cream neck ribbon declaring their Junior All American status for their class. Second place individuals received a custom-made maroon and cream neck ribbon stating their Reserve Junior All American honors.
Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Champions
In choosing the Junior Champion heifers Cozzitorto said, “The toughest class was probably the senior [fall] calf class, and the one that won stood out and was a pretty handy winner. She is going to our junior champion today.”
“And to follow her for reserve we are going to go with our second-place senior calf. They are cut from the same mold,” continued Cozzitorto in his reasons.
Receiving the Sycamore Hill Farm and Gardens Trophy and the title of Junior Champion was Schulte Bros Colton Fergalicious-ET, exhibited by Cole Kruse, Dyersville, Iowa.
This was his second consecutive year winning the Junior Champion title. He did so in 2020 with a full sister to “Fergalicious.”
She finished over the second-place fall heifer calf DKG Justice Suzanne, shown by Blake Greiwe, Sidney, Ohio. She was named Reserve Junior Champion and received a trophy in memory of Greiwe’s great-grandfather, Kenneth Knoop.
“She’s balanced in her frame, strong in her front end, long from nose to tail, tight up in that front end and has a really good udder,” Cozzitorto said about his choice for Intermediate Champion, Ho-Crawf Andreas Joplin, shown by Leach.
The recipient of the Yosemite Jersey Dairy Trophy for Intermediate Champion was “Joplin” and Arethusa Colton Cadbury-ETS took home the Albright Jerseys LLC trophy. She was shown by Grace Sauder, Tremont, Ill.
“Taking nothing away from the second place cow, you love the udder and the dairyness,” Cozzitorto stated for his reasons behind his placement of the champion and reserve champion.
Cozzitorto selected his winning senior three-year-old as his Senior Champion, stating his reasons: “For me today this three-year old is more correct all the way through. She is just a really balanced cow.”
His winning five-year-old cow—WF Valentino Lokie—was named Reserve Senior Champion for Reagan Jackson.
Alleah Anderson, Cumberland, Wis., and Meadowridge Triple Crown Fae received the Caff-E-Hill Farms Trophy for Senior Champion, while “Lokie” and Jackson, received the Dreamroad Jerseys Trophy for Reserve Senior Champion.
Supreme Champions
The Jersey breed continued its dominance of the youth shows as “Joplin” took home the Supreme Cow championship over the six other breeds of dairy cattle exhibited. She was selected by the junior show judges of each breed and received a $500 cash award from the Kentucky Farm Bureau.
Kruse and “Fergalicious” were named Reserve Supreme Champion of the heifer show and also received a $500 cash award from the Kentucky Farm Bureau.
Other Awards
Earning the highest point total to win the Premier Performance Cow award was Lauren Starr, Tulare, Calif., with Stoney Point Colton Edele. They received a $500 cash award sponsored by Piedmont Jersey Farm, Lincolnton, N.C.
Taking home reserve honors was WF Valentino Lokie for exhibitor Reagan Jackson. She received a $250 cash award sponsored by Endres Jazzy Jerseys, the David Endres Family, Lodi, Wis. Helping to round out the cash awards, Select Sires Inc., Plain City, Ohio, presented $50 cash awards to the remaining participants.
Chase Rozler, Canton, N.Y., was named Premier Junior Breeder and Sophie Leach was named Premier Junior Exhibitor. They received awards sponsored by Brittany Core, Salvisa, Ky., and Elmhurst Jerseys, Waynesville, Ohio, respectively.
Joelle Ziegler, Galloway, Ohio, and Oakhaven Colton Jenny received the Sunbow Jerseys Trophy, sponsored by the Charles Steer Family, Cottage Grove, Tenn., for being the top producing cow based upon yield deviation for pounds of protein.
Genex Cooperative Inc., Shawano, Wis., presented each class winner with a 16 oz. dual tumbler for hot or cold drinks. Dutch Hollow Farm, Schodack Landing, N.Y., presented a backpack for the Best Bred and Owned award in each class. Barlass Jerseys, Janesville, Wis., gave an award for the best uddered cow in each class. Class awards for Yield Deviation Protein were sponsored by Waverly Farm, Clear Brook, Va.
The Heifers
This year marked the return of the heifers showing first in the All American Jersey Show. The change was made due to Supreme Champion being selected immediately following the conclusion of the Jersey show.
DKG Gentry Heidi topped the class of 37 spring calves. She was also named best bred and owned for her owner Lane Greiwe, Sidney, Ohio.
“The top pair is pretty close, but in the end the calf in first tracks a little bit nicer on her rear legs,” stated Cozzitorto in his first set of reasons for the day.
It was her feet and legs that carried her over the “stylish” calf in second. Bolle-Acres Fireman Passion, owned by Lane Bollenbacher, Argos, Ind., took home the Reserve Junior All American honors.
Finishing third was JX Roc-N-Roll Anthem {5} for Evan Westerfield, Towanda, Pa.
Spring Heifer Calf Results
Class sponsored by Pennsylvania Jersey Cattle Association
In the winter calf class, 23 calves competed for Junior All American honors.
Being awarded the Junior All American Winter Calf honors was Dashs Delusion for Elizabeth Gunst, Hartford, Wis.
“It was pretty close at the top, but the first one—it’s the feet and legs that gets her on top today,” said Cozzitorto. “She tracks a little bit straighter when viewed from the rear and a little bit straighter from the profile.”
Following in second was DKG Gentry Secret, shown by Garrett Hageman, Sidney, Ohio. “Secret” also was named best bred and owned. Caylee Bachelor, Angola, Ind., finished in third with Bachelors Gentry Sully.
Winter Heifer Calf Results
Class sponsored by Kelly Epperly, Anna, Ohio
Beginning her winning streak for the day was Junior All American Fall Calf Schulte Bros Colton Fergalicious-ET, shown by Cole Kruse. This is the second consecutive year he has won this award, both years going on to win the Junior Champion title.
Following in second was the Reserve Junior Champion: DKG Justice Suzanne for owner Blake Greiwe. “Suzanne” also won best bred and owned in the class.
“You love the long stretchy neck she has, the width through her front end, the width in her chest, the width throughout her loin to her rump,” stated Judge Cozzitorto about his Junior Reserve All American Fall Calf.
Jessica Nolt, Millmont, Pa., finished third with Engineer Vienerslider of Ccup.
There were 39 fall calves exhibited in the class.
Fall Heifer Calf Results
Class sponsored by Tennessee Junior Jersey Cattle Club
“In your summer yearling class, there’s not a clear-cut winner. But the top four or five are pretty nice heifers,” said Cozzitorto of the 30-entries in the summer yearling class. “Once we got them sorted out, this heifer that wins the class; I think she wins pretty easy.”
Capturing the Junior All American laurels was Mead-Manor Fizz Popsicle, owned by Megan Moede of Algoma, Wis. She was also named best bred and owned in the class.
She was followed in second by RBR-FRM Fizz I-Fancy, exhibited by Jacob Raber, Gridley, Ill.
Finishing in third was Big Guns Andreas Velma-ET, shown by Lillian Finke, London, Ohio.
Summer Yearling Heifer Results
Class sponsored by Joey and Kaila Tauchen, Bonduel, Wis.
Blaine Warburton, New Albany, Pa., captured the Junior All American title in the spring yearling class with Bolle-Acres Gentry Fashion.
Cozzitorto elaborates on the close competition between second and third, stating: “Second over third, we flipped them around a time or two. But it’s the feet and legs when you view the second heifer from behind. She tracks a lot straighter on her feet and legs and a little more desirable set to her leg than the heifer in third.”
Taking home Reserve Junior All American honors was Meadowridge Vitality Star, shown by Alleah Anderson.
Finishing third in the class was Ravineside Venetian Gypsy, shown by Lauren Reed, Columbia X Road, Pa.
Spring Yearling Heifer Results
Class sponsored by Tillamook County Creamery Association, Ore.
Shelby Rader, Linesville, Pa., and her heifer HC-Rader Gentry Saba were named Junior All American Winter Yearling. “Saba” also took home best bred and owned in the class.
Finishing second was Roc-N-Roll Shameless-ET, shown by Robert Nagel, Towanda, Pa.
Coming in third was Arethusa Achilles Vega, exhibited by Skyler Schaap, Lovington, N.M.
Winter Yearling Heifer Results
Class sponsored by Ohio Junior Jersey Breeders Association
The Cows
Capturing the All American Milking Yearling honors was Unique Victorious Lovely, shown by Mason Pires, Modesto, Calif. “Lovely” was also named best udder of the 12 entries and received the second-place premier performance award.
“Starting off in the milking yearling class, the first-place heifer, [the winner is] just a well-balanced heifer” described Cozzitorto. “You like the style and balance she has, the length from end-to-end, the nice square rump she has.”
The Reserve Junior All American Milking Yearling title was captured by a cow showing “cleanliness and feminity,” Underground Lollipop Laralei-ET, shown by Camryn Crothers, Pitcher, N.Y. “Laralei-ET” also received the premier performance award for the class.
“Laralei-ET” edged out third-place winner Colton Cameo, shown by Aubree Topp, Anna, Ohio.
Milking Yearling Results
Class sponsored by Black Label Genetics, Dalhart, Texas
Chase Rozler and Cowbell Casino Dorsay took home Junior All American honors in the junior two-year-old class. “Dorsay” was also best udder, best bred and owned and second-place premier performance amongst the 18 entries.
“You like the height and width of the rear udder, you like the snugness of her fore udder and the teat placement on this cow,” explained Cozzitorto about the winner.
“She’s got enough width and strength in that front end, and she stays a bit tighter behind the shoulder and into the crops.”
Maple Lawn Ladd Lazone was awarded Reserve All American honors for exhibitor Lane Schweigert, Tremont, Ill. “Lazone” also won premier performance of the class.
Placing third was Woodmohr V Glorious-ET shown by Robert Nagel.
Junior 2 Year Old Cow Results
Class sponsored by North Carolina Jersey Breeders Association
Topping the class of 15 in senior two-year-olds was Cowbell Shoes Cleopatra, shown by Chase Rozler.
“You really admire this cow’s udder and her feet and legs,” stated Cozzitorto. “Cleopatra” also was awarded best udder, best bred and owned, and second-place premier performance.
McGuires Hired Gun Kimberly, shown by Dixie Hensley, Daleville, Ind., was named Reserve Junior All American Senior Two-Year-Old by Judge Cozzitorto.
“The cow in second is an ultra-dairy cow, you really like the well-balanced cow” said Cozzitorto. “But you’d like to bring her front teats under her just a little bit.”
She was followed in class by Rivendale VIP Cadi-ET exhibited by Hadley Burrus, Lazbuddie, Texas.
Senior 2 Year Old Cow Results
Class sponsored by Boreman and Billman Families, West Salem, Ohio
Eventual Intermediate Champion, Grand Champion, and Supreme Champion of the junior dairy shows—Ho-Crawf Andreas Joplin—began her winning streak in the junior three-year-old class.
“The cow in first is just so balanced up in the front end from her neck to shoulder, shoulder to body wall, the width of chest, the straightness of her front legs and you love the rib and the frame of this cow,” described Cozzitorto. “And her udder, she’s got a nice high, wide rear udder, lots of width, deep seam, and moves on good feet and legs.”
She was followed by eventual Reserve Intermediate Champion Arethusa Colton Cadbury-ETS, exhibited by Grace Sauder.
Placing third and winning best bred and owned was DKG Exclamation Patty, shown by Blake Greiwe.
Junior 3 Year Old Cow Results
Class sponsored by Indiana Jersey Cattle Club
Eventual Senior Champion and Reserve Grand National Champion Meadowridge Triple Crown Fae first captured the Junior All American title in the senior three-year-old class. She also won best udder and premier performance in the class.
“A nice balanced cow, dairy and angular cow with a tremendous udder and you’ve got the nice teat placement on her. And she moves around on a good set of feet and legs,” described Cozzitorto.
It was her feet and legs that took her over the Reserve Junior All American, SVHeaths Tequila Chloe-ET, shown by Kamryn Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif.
Following in third was Svheaths VIP Rio, exhibited by Isabella Pires, Hughson, Calif.
Senior 3 Year Old Cow Results
Class sponsored by Wisconsin Junior Jersey Breeders Association
“The cow that wins the class, she’s just a little more angular throughout, she’s a little more feminine about the head and neck, a little bit sharper over her shoulder, a little more slope from hooks to pins, a little bit deeper in the fore rib,” stated Cozzitorto while giving his reasoning for awarding the Junior All American four-year-old title.
“She’s a little more level on the udder floor and her teats sit squarely underneath her.”
Taking home the laurels was Stoney Point Colton Edele, shown by Lauren Starr. “Edele” was later awarded the Premier Performance Cow award after winning best udder and premier performance of the four-year-old class.
Winning the Junior Reserve All American title was Meadowridge Vitality Strawberry, exhibited by Alleah Anderson.
Finishing third and winning best bred and owned was Cowbell Dragon Reckless, shown by Graham Rozler.
4 Year Old Cow Results
Class sponsored by Ohio Jersey Breeders Association
WF Valentino Loki began her day by winning the five-year-old class for exhibitor Reagan Jackson before going on to capture the Reserve Senior Champion and Honorable Mention Grand National titles.
“The cow that wins the class, she wins it pretty handily,” explained Cozzitorto. “You just love the style and the height of rear udder this cow.”
Taking home reserve honors was Page-Crest Satin Juju {5} for Sophie Leach.
Coming in third was KC Reviresco Babbles for Elise Carpenter.
5 Year Old Cow Results
Class sponsored by Tillamook County Creamery Association, Ore.
In a very close placing in the aged cow class, it was Green Diamond Comerica Valarie-ET, being selected as the All American Aged Cow. She is owned and exhibited by David Rider, Tillamook, Ore.
Finishing close behind her in second was Jemi Velocity Moonshine, shown by Evan Westerfield.
She was followed by Hillacres Vitality Jasmine, exhibited by Caroline Arrowsmith of Peach Bottom, Pa.
Aged Cow Results
Class sponsored by Tillamook County Creamery Association, Ore.
State herd (13 shown)
1. Wisconsin; 2. New York; 3. Pennsylvania; 4. Ohio; 5. California
Showmanship
Sixty-eight youth competed to earn the top showman honors in their division. Judges for the event were: Grant Cope, Salem, Ohio, junior showmanship; Sarah Rocha, Tillamook, Ore., intermediate showmanship; and Tom McCauley, Lowell, Mich., senior showmanship.
Winning the three divisions this year were: Kylie Konyn, Escondido, Calif., senior showmanship; Summer Hammann, Barron, Wis., intermediate division; and Camryn Crothers, junior division.
A framed print of “The Jersey” was presented to the individual showmanship winner for each division. Also presented was the Gordon Farms Trophy to the senior showmanship winner; the Becky Boltmann Memorial Trophy to the intermediate showmanship winner; and the Fred Luchsinger Memorial Trophy to the winner of the junior showmanship contest. The American Jersey Cattle Association sponsored the second through fifth place awards in each class.
Senior showmanship (17 shown)
1. Kylie Konyn; 2. Emory Bewley, Susquehanna, Pa.; 3. Garrett Hageman; 4. Jeremy Ziegler, Galloway, Ohio; 5. Allison Graves, Talbott, Tenn.
Intermediate showmanship (29 shown)
1. Summer Hammann; 2. Sophie Leach; 3. Reagan Johnson; 4. Clancey Krahn, Albany, Ore.; 5. Cade Bachelor, Angola, Ind.
Junior showmanship (22 shown)
1. Camryn Crothers; 2. Jason Pareo, Veguita, N.M.; 3. Carly Nowell, Woodsboro, Md.; 4. Sophie Franklin, Waddy, Ky.; 5. Makayla Monk, Artesia, N.M.
