NUMBERS were unfortunately back in the Murray Grey section, with only two entries from first-time Canberra exhibitor Courtney Hazeldene of Ganado stud, Marong, Vic, representing the breed.
Despite the small numbers, judge Steve Carter of Blackjack Shorthorns, Tumut praised the quality of the two individuals that were both under 12 months.
"It is really unfortunate there is no competition," Mr Carter said.
"They are a great representation of the breed, and they could've beaten a lot of competition."
Junior and grand champion bull went to Ganado R2-D2 who went on to be sashed the supreme exhibit.
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The 10-month-old was described as a "powerful and stylish bull with a good set of testicles that will go out and breed" by Mr Carter.
Out of Ondiong Evelyn 357th, R2-D2 was by Ganado Tayto N37 who was the reserve champion all breeds bull of the 2020 Finley Online Show, a feat he won while out in the paddock joining 40 cows. Tayto has since sold to Carlinga Murray Greys.
"He is a chip off the old block, the Tayto calves are meat machines and he had hardly any prep to get him where he is - he looked like this at six months off grass," Ms Hazeldene said.
R2-D2 is earmarked for Melbourne and will be the stud's back-up bull.
Nine-month-old stall mate Ganado Cassie 5th was the junior and grand champion female. Out of Ongiong Cassie 209th, she was by influential sire and 2012 Royal Adelaide Show junior and grand champion Murray Grey bull, Ballyvaughan Gold Coast G11.
Cassie is earmarked to be joined to R2-D2; with Ms Hazeldene saying they will make a good combination.
Travelling around seven hours to attend her first Canberra Royal, Ms Hazeldene's sheer determination led her to exhibit and she will definitely be back.
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"I've only done local ag shows and Royal Melbourne in Victoria, and I wanted to expand and get a footprint out of Vic," she said.
"Obviously I would've like more competition but can understand why people didn't go - even for us it was only the Friday before we were due to leave that restrictions lifted.
"I was committed to going, but understand people pulling out with questions around it being on, what happens if I can't get out or do I have to quarantine after."
RESULTS PANEL
Judge: Steve Carter, Blackjack Shorthorns, Tumut
No. of exhibits: 2
Junior champion bull: Ganado R2-D2, Ganado Murray Greys, Marong, Vic
Junior champion female: Ganado Cassie 5th, Ganado Murray Greys, Marong, Vic
Grand champion bull: Ganado R2-D2, Ganado Murray Greys, Marong, Vic
Grand champion female: Ganado Cassie 5th, Ganado Murray Greys, Marong, Vic
Supreme exhibit: Ganado R2-D2, Ganado Murray Greys, Marong, Vic
Full report in next week's The Land newspaper.
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