The Henry Lawson High School student Stephanie Davies, Grenfell, was a first time competitor at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza, yet she did not let that stop her from taking out grand champion parader for 2019.
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The 16-year-old rose to the top of one of the biggest age divisions at the event with her calmness and natural ability to work with an animal.
Judged by Fergus and Keera Job, Dubbo and Claudia Nielsen, WA, Ms Davies focused on staying calm and collected, as well as not getting nervous to show the judge what her animal had to offer.
From a mixed farming background, Ms Davies involvement with cattle showing started when agriculture teacher, Annika Whale, joined The Henry Lawson High School.
"I don't think I would have got into the cattle industry showing industry if it wasn't for Annika. She taught most of our students the ins and outs of the cattle showing industry, giving us connections within the industry," she said.
"From there I've definitely developed a passion for cattle showing and really want to continue that into the future.
Winning grand champion parader at the UHBB is Ms Davies biggest achievement in handling cattle, but her win comes off the back of a recent triumphant junior judging performance at the national finals in Perth last month, where she was named national Merino fleece judging champion.
"I was stoked to just make the finals, then I was named the national champion which was an absolute amazing experience that I was completely and utterly speechless about," she said.
Her success in the judging area is not just limited to sheep.
"I have also been to the Murray Grey Youth Stock Show and Limousin Youth Expo this year, where I was named the champion intermediate judge at both show," Ms Davies said.
The Henry Lawson High School was one of three new schools at the event. The others were Orange Anglican Grammar School and Bundarra Central School.
Despite on the younger end of the 790 competitiors at UHBB, 13-year-old Ryan Knee from Mellowood Red Angus, representing Nabiac Shorthorns, Tamworth, was sashed reserve grand champion parader.
Ms Davies and Mr Knee were joined by the champions of each age group in the final which included; primary winner Cooper Johnston, Willow Tree, 14 years winner Emma Williams, Dorrigo High School, 15 years winner Montana Cronin, Merriwa, and the 17 to 18 years winner Laura Kirk, Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes.
JUNIOR JUDGING
Also competing at the UHBB for the first time was 13-year-old Audrey McPherson from Hunter Valley Grammar School, Maitland, who won the grand champion junior judge title.
Officiated by prime cattle judge Jake Phillips from Teys Australia, SA, the junior judging competition had participants look over and make judgements on a purebred heifer class, yearling Shorthorn bulls, and a class of steers.
Ms McPherson, who first won the 12 to 13-year-old age group before going the whole way, said she enjoyed assessing a number of cattle and learning while doing it.
It was also the first major win in a judging competition for the young lady who edged out the 2018 UHBB grand champion junior judge Liam Whalen from Kempsey High School, for the title.
Coming in as reserve overall champion, Mr Whalen was the winner of the 17 to 18-year-old age division.
Other winners were; Libby Nowlan, Coolah Central School (Primary), Jemima Burney, Pymble Ladies College (14 years), Megan Baker from Macarthur Anglican School (15 years) and Sophie Worth, Walcha Central School (16 years).
