A large field of competitors turned out for junior British Breeds sheep judging at the Canberra Royal Show last Saturday, as more than 50 students vied to be crowned champion of this years event.
Groups of four students were provided with a four minute allotment to judge four White Suffolk rams, before the best ten judges were selected as finalists.
Adjudicating the event was Brendan Mansbridge, Brooklyn Park Poll Dorsets, Eugowra, a former junior state judging champion and former livestock writer for The Land.
Mr Mansbridge said the competition was a great opportunity for young people to advance through the industry and further their skills.
Dominating the competition were students from three schools; Braidwood Central School, St Gregory’s of Campbelltown, and Macarthur Anglican at Cobbitty.
While students from these three schools claimed nine from the top ten spots, the eventual winner of the event Reece Webster, was a Bathurst local and attendee of St Stanislaus College.
Reece attended the show showing sheep for Lindene Suffolks, Bathurst.
Reece spoke confidently and demonstrated superb knowledge of breed traits.
In second place was Jamiel Azaeem of Macarthur Anglican.
In third was Tareva-chine Atkin-Zaldivar, also of Macarthur Anglican.
The rest of the top ten finished as follows:
4th: Grace Jansen, Macarthur Anglican.
5th: Fred Fletcher, St Gregory’s.
Tied 6th: Tim Malone and Sam Maxwell, St Gregory’s.
8th: Dan Watkin, St Gregory’s.
9th: Zali Liversidge, Braidwood Central School.
10th: Matthew Eyley, Braidwood Central School.