AS THE waves smashed into the coastline surrounding Kiama Showground - perched neatly alongside the edge of the ocean on the South Coast - there was an impressive line-up of champions who also achieved smashing success in the cattle ring at this year's 167th annual Kiama Show.
The star of the show in the dairy ring was a Jersey cow who has also known success at Sydney Royal, but who made her first appearance at the Kiama Show this year.
Shirlinn Special Stephanie, exhibited by Mark Mangold, Diamond Hill Jerseys, Regentville via Penrith, was sashed the interbreed grand champion cow.
The cow had earlier in the day received another accolade as the interbreed best uddered cow.
Mr Mangold said Stephanie had been recognised for her strong capabilities to produce milk with an excellent udder and dairyness.
Another notable winner in the dairy ring was the junior interbreed champion, a Holstein female exhibited by the Cullen family, of Wintercrest Holsteins at Berry.
As for beef cattle, Margaret Hughes, Elm Vale Poll Herefords, Mittagong, scored a big win for her cow Elm Vale Eliza Shamrock, named the supreme champion beef exhibit.
In addition to this, Mrs Hughes took home ribbons for both senior and grand champion Poll Hereford bull with Elm Vale Just.
In the horse ring something of a celebrity made an appearance: Ready to Rock - a former racehorse now achieving show success.
Ready to Rock was exhibited by owner Toni Guenther, Murrumbateman.
The horse is more well-known by his racing name, Mount Olympus, famous for selling for $3 million to Gai Waterhouse at the 2007 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Following time with other trainers after Waterhouse, including Norm Gardner, he has now traded the race track for the show ring after being purchased by Mrs Guenther and her husband about 18 months ago.
She said he had achieved that remarkable price back in 2007 given his breeding, being a three quarter brother to Holy Roman Emperor.
Mount Olympus's sire was Rock of Gibraltar, while his dam was L'on Vite; her sire was the famous US Triple Crown winner Secretariat.
Like his grandsire it seems good things come in threes for the horse, as he was purchased by Toni Guenther not for $3m, but rather, three zeros off that price: $3000.
"My husband saw him at Canberra Racecourse," she said.
"We snapped him up as soon as we saw him."
They gave him a new show name, Ready to Rock, (inspired by his sire).
He was taken along to Kiama Show last year but didn't compete as such.
It was his first "outing" off the farm since being purchased after his racing career.
Mrs Guenther said he had come along last year for the show experience.
His first showing was at Grenfell in September last year; he won there, and went on to win at his next seven shows before qualifying for Sydney Royal.
At Kiama Show this year he won his class, and was also awarded reserve champion Hunter Hack.
She said Ready to Rock's next big campaign would be Canberra Royal at the end of February, followed by Sydney Royal.
"He loves being a show horse; he has really taken to this new lifestyle," she said.
"He has found his niche."
Nick Heydon
The Land's property editor.
The Land's property editor.
