Finally! After a couple of Covid postponements, the Victorian Highland Breeders Group hosted its inaugural Highland Handlers Camp from 1-3 June 2022. A total of 24 attendees, plus organisers, presenters, volunteers and various other hangers on made it to the Warrigul Showgrounds for a weekend of education and fun. The camp was designed to simulate a show environment, with participants each being allocated an animal to take care of for the duration of the event. Various activities were organised to teach the finer points of show prep and handling in the show ring before the big event on Sunday, when we were to demonstrate what we did (or did not) learn in the Handlers Camp Show Ring.
The event kicked off on Friday afternoon with a quick round of introductions – we were a pretty diverse bunch – both in age and cattle handling experience, but all arrived with the common goal of improving our cattle handling skills.
Participants were allocated their own animal for the weekend, then gathered with their owners to meet the animal and learn how to attend to their needs (the cattle, not the owners). After feeding and mucking out, we were allowed to attend to our own needs. Dinner.
After dinner, it was time to learn how to make a rope halter, tie a knot and pack a show kist. We were all provided with a length of rope, and Fiona led us through how to magically transform it into a halter, before we headed over to learn how to tie up a cow at a show so it doesn’t:
- fight with its neighbours, or
- escape.
Glen then ably demonstrated how not to tie a neck rope on the demonstration Angus, allowing her to slip out of it. Twice. It is much, much harder for a Highland to perform this escape stunt by virtue of it being impossible for it to get the rope over its horns. One more reason why Highlands are better.
And so, to bed. Most of us camped in the shed, a few braved the elements in tents outside, and a couple of participants, by virtue of advanced years or preference for comfort opted for a local hotel.
Saturday
Saturday kicked of with mucking out and feeding followed by breakfast.
After brekkie, Fiona used a live model during her presentation on structure. Then Glenn gave some nifty pointers on how you can assess your cattle’s proportions with a piece of string.
After lunch we divided into groups, and got down to the business of learning and putting into practice show prep. We alternated between washing and drying Highlands (takes ages, even for wee ones like these), cleaning show halters, having lessons on how to lead and present the animals, and how to polish horns. it was a lot to take in, and it feels like when it comes to coordinating leads and show canes, an extra hand would be useful.
Sunday
Sunday morning was a repeat of Saturday afternoon, with half the participants washing and drying their cattle, while the other half rotated through the shed cleaning halters and practicing their show skills.
After lunch was show time…
Participants were divided into three sections – junior, intermediate and senior, and groups of 4 strutted their stuff before judge Cathy Eden. Cathy Eden attended the Stud Beef Victoria Handlers Camp for many years as an instructor (including, literally, 25 years ago when Glen attended his first camp).
| Class | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juniors A (8-12 yrs) | Ben Glover | Riley Adams | Malachi Newman | Emmanuelle Newmann |
| Juniors B (13-16yrs) | Sophia O’Meara | Emily Lewis | Lincoln Butler | |
| Junior Champion | Sophia O’Meara | |||
| Reserve Junior Champion | Ben Glover | |||
| Intermediates A | Chelsea Filmer | Vanessa Hornby | Will Pierce | Kieran O’Meara |
| Intermediates B | Courtney Marson | Alex Stewart | Deniz Karacha | Kylie Karacha |
| Intermediate Champion | Chelsea Filmer | |||
| Reserve Intermediate Champion | Courtney Marson | |||
| Seniors A | Lesley Harris | Scott Clarke | Rob Jackson | Fran Raymond |
| Seniors B | Brendan Welsh | Bow Harris | Cathy Welsh | Jackie Marshall |
| Senior Champion | Brendan Welsh | |||
| Reserve Senior Champion | Bow Harris | |||
| Grand Champion Handler | Chelsea Filmer |
Awards
The Victorian Highland Breeders Group would like to thank the following sponsors for their contribution:
Telstra ($150.00 cash)
$50 to each of the Champion Handlers
- Sophia O’Meara
- Chelsea Filmer
- Brendan Welsh
Bairnsley Highlands (Leather Show Halter – $150.00)
Awarded to the Grand Champion Handler – Chelsea Filmer
Brian Alford (Show Cane & Sullivan’s Comb – $100.00)
The Brian Alford Award is a special award for the handler who was judged by the Instructors to be the best ambassador for the Highland Breed (both inside &
outside the ring) – Lincoln Butler.
Show Gallery
Thanks
An event like this doesn’t happen without a myriad of volunteers: thanks to our three presenters Fiona, Liesl and Rachael who were simultaneously informative, fun and loud, for giving up their weekend to impart a little of their years of cattle wisdom; to the owners of the ballot animals from Arcadia, Bairnsley, Russlyn, Sea Crest and Yatarna folds who transported their animals to Warrigul; to Kieran for organising all the catering; David for playing quizmaster; Arlo and Zach for helping out with whatever was needed. Judge Cathy Eden, for donating her time and wisdom, and for her thoughtful comments. And finally, to Glen and Bree for coordinating the whole effort and all the participants who made the weekend such a great success.
