To show a Junior Champion in one country is one thing.

To exhibit two junior Champions in two countries within 24 hours – and be at both events – is quite another.

When Peter and Claire Hansen made the decision to show at the Oxford Show in North Canterbury New Zealand, they knew they were setting themselves an almost impossible timeline. Because they had an additional plan.

The couple not only run their raw milk business (Fernside Fresh), they also own their busy drainage business, and they have six children in the mix. So, they don’t have to pretend to be busy.

But they also never back away from a challenge.

They made the decision to show two heifers in the morning at Oxford Show, and to then take their team home, grab their bags, and make the dash for Christchurch International airport – an hour away – to fly to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, in Australia. They arrived the night before judging.

Oxford show first

One of their heifers to show at Oxford is the full sister to the NZ DairyEvent’s Junior Champion, Lilac Grove Video Chip. The two heifers – imported as embryos from Avonlea Genetics in Canada – are currently ranked equal No.3 genomic heifers in New Zealand.

Lilac Grove Video Canada won Junior Champion Jersey and Junior All Breeds Champion. It has been a roller coaster year for the Hansens as they start to push the established names in the business across all breeds. But they barely had time to absorb the result, before they were sitting on the plane with their two daughters, Brooke and Lauren.

Lilac Grove Video Canada taken at Oxford Show. Photo: Debbie Mercer.

Sydney…here we come

Their reason for travelling to Sydney was to join their partners on Lightning Ridge TR Victorious Toffee with Robbie and Ash Wilson, from Jamberoo, NSW. It was Lilac Grove’s first entry at Sydney. Toffee is managed and was prepared by the Wilson camp on behalf of the partnership. She won her class with Glen Bawden on the halter…and then finished off a magic 24 hours for the Kiwis, capturing Junior Champion in the Jersey Show under Victorian judge, Ross Easterbrook.

Lightning Ridge TR Victorious Toffee - JC Sydney Royal Easter Show 2026. Photo: Fiona Hanks.

Claire said any doubt they had pushing through to travel to Sydney evaporated over the course of the show.

“It was so special to be there and to see Toffee in the flesh,” Claire said. “Seeing how well Andy [Cullen] had prepared her, and being part of it all with Robbie and Ash was a memory we will never forget. We’re thrilled and so grateful to them for the work they do with Toffee every day.”

Judge Ross Easterbrook gives Glen Bawden the win. Photo: Fiona Hanks.

L-R: Ash and Robbie Wilson together with their Kiwi partners, Claire and Peter Hansen, enjoy a moment with their Junior Champion Jersey. Photo: Amelia Wilson.

To the victor, the spoils. Photo: Fiona Hanks.

She said Peter had fallen for Toffee’s dam Rivendell Gentry Toffee (owned by Declan Patten, J Tarpey, D Borba and TR Investments) when she won the 2025 Champion Jersey Cow at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Peter had traced her pedigree back through to Brunchilli Jerseys – one of the most respected names in the business.

To have the chance to partner with Robbie and Ash had allowed them to stretch their interest and cattle investments to Australia.

“I’ve always admired Lyn Boyd’s [Brunchilli] cows and we’re excited to get the Toffee family to New Zealand in time as well,” Peter said.

Robbie Wilson said to have two generations in the broad ribbons from the family within two years was great news for the partnership.

Robbie said, “We were initially just really excited for the opportunity to get in on the Toffee heifer with Peter and Claire,” he said. “We’ve been happy with how she’s developed and how she settled in at the show, because it’s a big trip to get here from down South.

“To get the win was pretty special, especially given her mum was Champion Jersey last year.”

The All Breeds heifer classes will be judged tomorrow afternoon.