ALBURY based Tabitha Cross, representing group eight Riverina, has taken out the top spot in the RAS/ASC beef cattle young judges competition for 2019, following the state final at Sydney Royal Show on April 15.
Officiated by David Bondfield of Palgrove Charolais, Queensland, the competition had 25 participants this year from across the 13 groups that were required to judge three classes: Hereford bulls, Santa Gertrudis females, and Charolais females.
Off a family farm just out of Albury where they run a Murray Grey and British White cattle stud, Ms Cross said this was her first time at Sydney Royal.
"I have been showing and judging cattle for the last four years but this was my first time at Sydney and in the (beef cattle) judging competition. It was a really good experience," she said.
Ms Cross is now set to jet off to the Perth Royal Show in September to present NSW and compete in the national competition.
She hopes to keep judging at local and youth shows to continue to learn and see we're it takes her.
"Being sixteen I'm only at the beginning," Ms Cross said. "However as I get more experience it would be good to associate judge and see where that goes."
Reserve champion went to group 11 Western representative Georgia Laurie of Knowla Livestock, Moppy.
Proving group eight Riverina was a strong region, third place was secured by the zone's other representative, Lauren Moody, Dubbo.
Snagging fourth place was Matthew Campion, Glen Innes, representing group 13 Central Northern, while fifth spot went to Elyse Hudson, Lithgow, representing group 12 Castlereagh.