A 14-month-old Poll Dorset ewe from the Frost family’s Hillden stud at Bannister walked off with the supreme exhibit honours at the NSW Dorset Championships at Cowra.
She toppled the champion Poll Dorset ram shown by the Scott family’s Valley Vista stud, Coolac, and the champion Dorset Horn ram and ewe shown by Keith Coble, Kei-Vale, stud, Borowa, to take the supreme honours.
Hillden had a successful two days at Cowra picking up a swag of ribbons culminating with the awards for most successful exhibitor and best strike rate.
Hillden’s champion ewe, 224-17, caught the eye of the judge, Julian Iles, Killara Poll Dorset stud, Sorell, Tasmania, when she stepped out in the pair of Poll Dorset ewes under 1.5 years, machine shorn class.
She was paraded by James Frost and Mr Iles said her outstanding quality had helped get the Hillden pair across the line against the pair shown by the Armstrong family, Armdale stud, Marrar.
Before naming her the champion Poll Dorset ewe Mr Iles confessed the Poll Dorset ewes had been tougher to judge than the rams.
He said the Hillden ewe – shown by Lorraine and Brian Frost and their sons, Anthony and James – had a “heap of meat, was very stylish, paraded exceptionally well and had enormous hindquarters”.
The ewe was sired by Hillden 295-14 (by Tattykeel 408-12) out of H 611-14.
The reserve champion ewe ribbon went to Doug and Scott Mitchell, Rene stud, Culcairn. She had won the strong ewe under 1.5 years with not more than 2cm of wool class.
The judge, Mr Iles, praised her shoulder setting and backline and said she had paraded well.
Rene picked up 16 ribbons during the show including two broad ribbons.
The ribbons in the ewe section were spread around with Gordon Close, Closeup stud, Finley, picking up the Poll Dorset ewe under 1.5 years, machine shorn, class in a field of 10.
“She is carrying a heap of meat and paraded well,” the judge, Mr Iles said. “We breed for meat.”
Garry and Catherine Armstrong, Armdale Park stud, Marrar, took the milk tooth ewe, not more than 2cm of wool, class and followed that with victory in the ewe lamb (dropped after April 1) class.
Mr Iles said their ewe lamb winner was “neat and stylish” and he was sure she would be back at Cowra for next year’s championships.
Chief steward, Roger Traves, Canowindra, was pleased with the quality and numbers at this year’s championships.
A total 267 sheep were judged during the two days paraded by 24 exhibitors including Riverina Anglican College’s Boorooma Trac stud at Wagga Wagga.
Vernon Graham
Former editor of The Land, former Fairfax Media Agricultural Editor
Former editor of The Land, former Fairfax Media Agricultural Editor
