AN avid Angus breeder from Wildes Meadow has reigned champion of the open beef cattle paraders section at this year's Canberra Royal Show.
Casey Halliday from the J & C Angus stud was the 15-year-old from the Southern Highlands that secured the top spot, following a gruelling morning of competition over seen by judge Rachael Wheeler from RDM Angus, Wellington.
Although it was the first time Ms Halliday had competed in paraders at the Canberra Royal, she has been showing cattle alongside her parents, sister Sophie and brother Josh all her life, competing in heifer shows and junior competitions offered at regular shows across the country since she was seven.
"I have had a fair few wins over the years, but this is the first win here," Ms Halliday said.
"I won champion at Moss Vale in 2018 and have qualified for the paraders state final at the Sydney Royal three times."
Judge Rachael Wheeler said the girl that made her way into the champion position on the day was the most complete parader.
"She did everything I like to see in a parader," Ms Wheeler said.
"Importantly she showed her heifer off to the best of its ability and she had that attention to detail I was looking for.
"She did everything right for me."
Wellington local Kahlissa Wykes was hot on Ms Halliday's heels, putting up a tough fight to eventually be named the reserve overall champion parader.
Ms Wykes, who was representing Hollywood Angus, Peak Hill, at the show, was hoping to secure the open champion win this year to follow on from being named the 2018 Canberra Royal Show school paraders overall champion.
In the school paraders competition Joshua Fenech from St Gregory's College, Campbelltown, snatched up the championship win, with Charlotte Nugent from Wagga Wagga Christian College, awarded the reserve.
Other winners in the open beef cattle paraders section included:
8-12 years:
- 1st Lucy McGrath, 2nd Angus Baldry, 3rd Latrelle Kennedy
12-14 years (heat one):
- 1st Darby Hutchinson, 2nd Evelyn Thoroghgood, 3rd Charlotte McKay
12-14 years (heat two):
- 1st Harry Stimpson, 2nd Tom Middleton, 3rd Bradin Gill
15-16 years:
- 1st Casey Halliday, 2nd Cooper Taylor, 3rd Jack Lawry
17-18 years:
- 1st Kahlissa Wykes, 2nd Lucy Kell, 3rd Josie Cox
19-25 years:
- 1st Alana Wade, 2nd Savanna Boutsikasis, 3rd Hayleigh Duvall