BEGINNER’S luck paid off for Ryan and Lauren Bywater who took home the best exhibit rosette for Other Recognised Breeds.
The couple, who moved from Sydney to Barkwater stud, Lyndhurst two-and-a-half years ago, bought a Square Meater cow in calf 12 months ago.
Putting nerves aside, Mr Bywater led 35-month-old Thurloo Park High Hopes (DJTH7A) to victory while Mrs Bywater followed with the nine-week-old bull calf, Lionheart, in their first showing at Sydney Royal.
The couple had a support base of family and friends egging them on to win.
Mrs Bywater said she was very nervous in the ring and shocked when they won.
Mr Bywater’s father Terry, Hammondville, Sydney, said of his son: “He was a city boy who should’ve been born in the country”.
“I feel like I’m looking at my grandchildren,” he said of the cattle.
Ryan Bywater said he wanted to show cattle since he was a kid.
"I'm excited and tired; it's been a long week but we're looking forward to the Interbreed."
He said the quiet and gentle” cow had previously won at Boorowa and Yass shows.
Judge Lucy Newham, Pandora Murray Greys stud principal, said the cow was “a great representative of her breed, with plenty of growth for her age, good structure, great length, finesse at the front and depth at the back, and a beautiful udder”.
“The calf is beef in a package,” she said.
Mr Bywater said he would be back next year to show the calf as a bull.
"He's not part of our breeding ling as we have a strong AI program," he said.
The couple received some handy advice from Mr Bywater’s second cousin, John Hutt, Hutt River Lincoln Red, Cowra, outside the show ring.
Mr Hutt led the champion bull, Ferndale Judge (CFB J3), for his owners Guy and Jenny Bennett, “Ferndale”, Nethercote, in the Bega Valley.
The 26-month-old bull won at Sydney Royal last year and at Royal Canberra this year and last year.
It weighed 806 kilograms, with an eye muscle area (EMA) of 111.
Mr Bennett said the couple had been showing Lincoln Reds for five years in Sydney.
“We’ve had a pretty good run with him,” he said.
Ms Newham said the bull had a “soft covering, which we want”.
“Bulls have got to survive and be a big influence in the herd,” she said.
Reserve bull was Javid Kobe (JAV K7), 9-14 months, owned by Architecture Raw Pty Ltd, Orange, weighing 428kg, with an eye muscle area of 72.
Reserve female went to Glendale Candy K29 (V6PK029), 9-14 months, owned by Barry and Michelle Fleming, Serpentine, Western Australia.
