Huronia Centurion Veronica 20J EX97, passed away on September 7th at Arethusa Farm in Litchfield, CT, one week beyond her 17th birthday.
This statement was released by Arethusa Farm:
Dear friends of Veronica,
Yesterday was a very sad day for Arethusa. A day, long dreaded, finally came. We lost our grand dam, our dearest, our loveliest, our most tender, our Veronica. She was the beacon. Grazing, always, in the front pasture. Pampered, as she so well deserved. Devilish, at mealtime. Like a New York runway model in the ring. Our sweetest girl. Her birthday was last Wednesday. She just turned 17. Perhaps, a nice and ripe age for a cow. But gone from us far too early. We will miss you.Yes, we will miss you. You’ve left us with many daughters and granddaughters a great granddaughters. And many of these ladies are beauties but none will ever be as beautiful as you. Our Veronica.
Read thoughts of those who had worked with Veronica, collected by Terri Packard and compiled by Gretchen Taylor for the 2010 Visions of Veronica sale.
Veronica became a household-name early in her career, taking the showring by storm even as a milking yearling, earning the distinction of Reserve All-Canadian in 2001. In 2002, she stood atop the line at World Dairy Expo for the first time, winning the Senior 2 Year Old Class. She went on to be named Intermediate and Reserve Grand Champion of the show. She repeated those results at the All-American Dairy Show and Royal Winter Fair that year as well, and was being named the All-Canadian Senior 2 Year Old.
In 2004, Veronica returned to the showring with gusto and determination as a 4 year old, capturing the Reserve Supreme Champion Banner at the World Dairy Expo. She was also named the National Grand Champion at the All-American Jersey Show.
In 2005, she was again named Grand Champion of the Jersey Show at World Dairy Expo, as well as winning Supreme Champion honors at the Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show.
In 2006, Veronica reigned Supreme, as she was named the Supreme Champion at the World Dairy Expo, and again at the Pennsylvania All-American.
Veronica’s transmitting ability as a brood cow is what truly catapulted her to legendary status. She has left her stamp on the Jersey breed through a myriad number of influential sons, and daughters who follow in her footsteps, not only winning in the showring, but transmitting through their own offspring.
Most recently, she was recognized earlier this year as the winner of the Jersey Journal GREAT COW contest.