Twelve years ago at the South Otago A&P Show, Katrina and Rob Kelly, of Kailey Dairies in Oamaru, stood last in almost every section of the South Island Holstein-Friesian championships.
In Balclutha on Saturday, the Kellys' cow, Kailey Goldwyn Pom Pom, claimed top spot as the South Island Holstein-Friesian senior champion cow.
''It's been 12 years coming,'' Mrs Kelly joked.
About 4000 people attended the annual show. Mr Kelly said it had been a successful day for the team at Kailey Dairies as Kailey Goldwyn Pom Pom was also awarded
supreme all breeds cow and supreme animal of the show.
Kailey Dairies even had a few tricks up their sleeve when it came to showing their stock at this year's South Otago A&P show as Mitchell Flemming, of Australia, who is a cow fitter, travelled over to ''beautify'' the five Kailey Dairy entrants.
Mrs Kelly said they had a great crew on the day with the help of their son, Jason, and nephew, Bailey Mitchell, of Dunedin.
The weather held out for a dry day.
This year's show also featured the duo Jaimie Stodler and Bec Stanley, Masterchef New Zealand runners-up, who judged the Signature Dish competition.