For the second year running the Scott family of Valley Vista stud, Coolac, have won the supreme Poll Dorset exhibit at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, Bendigo.
But unlike last year, when it was won by an imposing 1.5 year old ram, this year it was a June 2015 drop Valley Vista ewe that caught the judge’s eye.
The 119 kilogram ewe initially won her woolly class before being sashed champion ewe and eventually supreme exhibit.
Judge Ian Gilmore, Baringa stud, Oberon, said she was an outstanding, strong ewe that commanded the mat on the day.
“She has wonderful presence, and stood up with an outstanding twist in the hind leg, had wonderful muscling right through whilst still maintaining femininity,” Mr Gilmore said.
Stud principal Andrew Scott, said taking supreme is like winning a grand final.
“You put a lot of time into it, so when you are rewarded like this it’s overwhelming in a lot of ways,” he said.
He said the 2016 show was one of the strongest shows they have competed in in recent years, making the win an even prouder achievement.
Reserve champion ewe was awarded to Tattykeel stud, Oberon, with their ewe under 18-months shorn class winner.
Tattykeel won the champion Poll Dorset ram, stemming from his initial ram under 18-months class win.
An embryo transfer lamb, Tattykeel da Vinci, shown by the Gilmore family, was by Tattykeel Immortal, the supreme exhibit ram at the Australasian Championships in 2014.
The champion April drop ram weighed 160kg and displayed measurements including 12 millimetres of fat and 50mm eye muscle depth (EMD).
Mr Gilmore said the champion ram line-up was outstanding and when it came to muscling there was very little in it, but the Tattykeel ram had the entire package.
“Then it comes down to the stud attributes in the sheep, the presentation, the sirey outlook and the absolute correctness - every time he places a foot he doesn’t put one wrong,” Mr Gilmore said.
Tattykeel da Vinci then went on to win the supreme Australian prime lamb exhibit.
Reserve champion ram went to the Armstrong family, Armdale Park stud, Marrar.
Entries in the Poll Dorset section were up about 25 per cent on last year with 230 sheep made up of 19 studs presenting including three newcomers.
Most successful exhibitor went to Tattykeel stud.