MICHELLE Fairall from Micanker Livestock, Harden, was named the champion of the beef cattle junior judging competition yesterday, a title that has been years in the making.
Previously winning her age group multiple times, but never being able to go that step further at the Canberra Royal Show to claim the top honours of grand champion judge, Ms Fairall was delighted with her performance today.
Challenged with the Galloway feature breed as the class competitors would speak on, Ms Fairall did not the unfamiliar breed get in her way of and impact on her basic principals.
"The class was hard to judge due to the similarities between animals, not the different breed type and characteristics," she said.
"Number one for me no matter what is structure. If they can't walk they can't get out their and produce anything so I don't use them. It is a fundamental."
Studying at the University of Canberra to become a secondary science teacher, she is well accustomed to wins within the judging ring, not only for beef cattle but also meat sheep.
"I have been to the state final in Sydney for beef once and for meat sheep twice," she said.
"I have had a fair few successes here at Canberra but also at a number of local shows."
Ms Fairall has extended her experiences outside of the junior judging competition side of things to take up judging and associated judging positions here in Australia, and in New Zealand recently.
"In 2018 I judged the Limousin breed and interbreed at the Canterbury A and P Show in November," she said.
"This was made possibly through the ANZAC Exchange scholarship I received through Limousin Youth.
"I have also judged at Boorowa Show, Koorawatha Show and Crookwell show."
Competing with steers on Thursday, Limousin stud cattle yesterday and preparing to go in the ring today with Murray Greys, it is safe to say Ms Fairall has a broad understanding of the industry and isn't afraid to challenge herself.
She will now be planning her trip back to the Canberra Royal Show in 2020 to help officiate the stud beef cattle classes as the official associate judge of the event.
Other winners of each age division included:
8-25 years:
- 1st Lacey Quinn, 2nd Lucy McGrath, 3rd Latrelle Kennedy, 4th Sienna Manning, 5th Kieren Chandler, 6th Angus Baldry
12-14 years:
- 1st Claudia Rummery, 2nd Madison Reinders, 3rd Emma Collins, 4th Joe Bayard, 5th Miller Frost, 6th Lachlan Banty
15-16 years:
- 1st Tara Southwell, 2nd Darcy Fogg, 3rd Amelia Bigg, 4th Thomas Stone
17-18 years:
- 1st Lachlan McColl, 2nd Sammy Bates, 3rd Rana Marie Kumeroa (NZ), 4th Hannah Phillis
19-25 years:
- 1st Michelle Fairall, 2nd Alana Wade, 3rd Emily Polsen, 4th Tahlia Chandler, 5th Angela McGrath, 6th Savanna Boutsikakis
