Early autumn the farming communities in our country hold cow competitions. Some are really big and drawing quite some crowds. This one here is of a smaller community in the Emmental and would hardly get noticed anywhere. We just stumbled into it.

The farmers from one area drive all their cows to a specific location. The cows are presented at their best. A judge and expert will look at each cow starting from the head following the topline, main body and ribs, the udders, the legs and going all the way to the tail. The most beautiful cow wins. The farmer of the winning cow gets a lot of prestige in the village.

After the show the cows get walked back to their farm. The best cows are decorated too. Traffic on these smaller roads has to accommodate to the cattle getting walked home.