Twenty-four Merino and Poll Merino rams and ewes were paraded before judge Garry Kopp, Towonga, Peak Hill, in the medium wool section of the 2021 Sydney Royal Merino Sheep Show.
Nevertheless, Mr Kopp was suitably impressed with the quality of all entries and noted it wasn't an easy task deliberating on placegetters.
He awarded the ram grand championship to the six-tooth March-shorn ram exhibited by Hamish and Jock McLaren, Nerstane, Woolbrook.
"He is an outstanding sheep and is carrying a very stylish fleece on a big body," Mr Kopp said.
Mr Kopp said the reserve grand champion, exhibited by Ken Wolf, Hollow Mount, Bigga, and coming from the March-shorn four tooth class was unlucky to come up against a very good ram.
The grand champion ewe, graduating from the two-teeth March-shorn class was exhibited by Anthony and Krisi Frost, Thalabah, Laggan.
"She has great balance, width and shape," Mr Kopp said.
"And although she is still only a junior, she is carrying a long stapled and soft medium wool."
The reserve grand champion ewe, a four-teeth August-shorn ewe was exhibited by Ken Wolf, Hollow Mount, Bigga.
In the Poll Merino section, the ram grand championship was awarded to Doug Walker, Wongara, Old Junee, for his August-shorn two tooth, while the reserve grand champion was shown by Chris Clonan, Alfoxton, Armidale.
"It is unreal to see two shortwools go over a long wool but the grand champion has a magnificent structure, with great neck extension while his wool oozes quality - he will grow into an exceptional ram," Mr Kopp said.
The fleece measurements indicated 19.1 micron, 3.2 SD and 99.1pc Comfort Factor.
The ewe grand championship was awarded to the two-teeth August-shorn ewe exhibited by Chris Clonan, Alfoxton, Armidale while the reserve grand champion, the two-teeth March-shorn was exhibited by Hamish and Jock McLaren, Nerstane, Woolbrook.
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