TEN steer calves gave young cattle paraders the opportunity of displaying their skills during the annual Clipex Silver Calf Championship at the Charolais National show and sale at Dubbo last week.
The steers were split into three weight classes with the over 451 kilogram class winner, Yandarra Pepper, shown by the Gran family's Yendarra stud, Bureen, and paraded by 10 year-old Jacob Green.
Pepper weighing 454kg defeated 376 to 450kg class winner Tookawhile Creamy weighing 404kg and shown by the the Nicholls family, Tookawhile stud, Rukenvale via Kyogle; and the 350kg Myona Pig, winner of under 375kg class for Beverley Hogland and Stephen Martin, Myona stud, Coonamble.
Paraders
Fifty-three youngsters aged from seven to 22 participated from Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania in the annual Charolais National Youth Stampede conducted over four days at Dubbo showground last week and concluded with the event's youth parading classes last Saturday.
Tamworth's Evans family siblings achieved exceptional results with 10-year-old Hayden taking out Pee Wee championship, Joshua, 13 years, the junior champion and Logan, 13, reserve junior award.
Hugo Humphries, 16 years, of Oberon was intermediate champion with Emma-Leigh Green, 14, Bureen, reserve.
However, the grand championship went to 19 year-old Nathan Hanson, Dubbo, who is a veteran of the youth stampedes.
Nathan had earlier been awarded senior champion from 14 competitors with 21 year-old ayla Miller, Parkville, reserve senior champion.
The Youth Stampede participants were divided into three groups and given instruction on all aspects of cattle husbandry, junior judging and showmanship as well as other skills useful in their future careers.
This included halter making, public speaking, ringcraft and techniques.
Grand champion herd person was Jaime Vosper, 16, of Monegeetta, Victoria.