Miley O'Brien claims Grand Champion Parader

Beef Cattle Paraders took to the ring on Thursday under the watchful eye of judge Hayley Robinson, Aubigny, Queensland.

"They were all very competitive today - very professional, and they did a really good job," she said.

"They put me through my paces.

"I love doing this side of things because I think it is so good for young people; they get a good taste of responsibility, camaraderie, good friendships and exposure to a whole lot of people, and I think it builds solid skills for whatever career they take."

Miley O'Brien won heat four of 13 to win champion RAS/ASC beef cattle parader ahead of reserve champion Lily Moore, Ilford.

"It's a bit overwhelming; I was not expecting to win this at all," she said.

Miss O'Brien led her Angus heifer, Winchester Abigail T38, sired by Benchmark and from Winchester Abigail P1, which had been prepared on feed for 120 days.

The heifer has won numerous parader classes, including grand champion parader at the 2022 Australia Angus Youth National Roundup.

"I'm going to breed from her and hopefully bring her back to Sydney as a cow next year," she said.

Clare Kelly, 16, Armidale Secondary College, Armidale, took out champion school parader, ahead of reserve champion Annabelle Jones, Pymble Ladies' College, Sydney.

"I came to Sydney Royal last year, and I didn't win anything, but luckily, that has changed this year," she said.

"I'm so happy. I feel so amazing right now.

"My team is amazing; some of the older students have helped and guided me.

"And today, their pep talks have helped me to be cool, calm, collected, and keep him under control."

Miss Kelly led an 18-month-old Lachlandale Limousin steer from Forbes named 'Armigetti', prepared on feed for 180 days.

"He has such a cool character about him, and as the judge said - that presence," she said.

"We just love him to bits.

"He has done amazing and scanned 10 and 13 millimetres of fat."

Champion open parader was won by Emma-Leigh Green, Denman, ahead of reserve champion open parader, Ciaran Newton, Bourke.

Yvonne Gregory, Bingara, was on hand to present the inaugural Bobby Gregory Perpetual Trophy in her late husband's honour.

Angus Australia donated the trophy for the champion open parader.

Mr Gregory was born on the property Keera at Bingara, home of the famed Booroomooka Angus stud, and is renowned in the beef cattle industry.

He was the third generation to run the operation over 150 years, which started in 1967 when his father retired.

"In 1958, Bob won the junior parader, and his father won the senior parader," Mrs Gregory said.

"His father won 13 grand champions, and Bob won 17."

Mrs Gregory told the crowd that Mr Gregory believed personal presentation was an important part of parading.

"Bob's parading was perfection," she said.

"The thing that stood out was that his hands were so light; the animal just walked with him."

Mr Gregory taught ag students at several schools how to parade and present animals.

"Several students went on to become grand champion paraders and win at nationals," Mrs Gregory said.

"He was always willing to offer advice to those who sought his vast knowledge of showing and preparing cattle.

"Bob would be proud and a little bit humbled knowing that a legacy such as this wonderful trophy is being given to those who love the industry as much as he did."