Here’s a wrap-up of the 2023 Australian Highland Cattle Society National show held in Junee, NSW from 9-11 June – now that the dust (or is it mud) has settled. Five Victorian breeders were represented at the show – Bairnsley, Cambus Glen, Glenstrae, Jazala and Serenity. Between the handlers’ competition and the show itself, there were plenty of ribbons to go round, with some excellent results by the Victorian contingent.
aturday 10th of June is the fun day of the show with the Junior Judging and Handlers’ competitions taking place, as well as everyone’s favourites, Calf at Foot (except the calves aren’t “at foot” they’re on their own in the ring so there’s a great many histrionics) and the Costume class. There were a few ribbons for Victorian entrants in the Handler’s competition:
| Class 1 Junior Handler 8 years and under 12 years: | 2nd Seth Plant and Kapheira |
| Class 2 Junior Handler 12 years and under 18 years: | 1st Link Butler and Philo |
| Class 4 Open Handler 25 years and over: | 3rd Glenn Adams and Murphy’s Law |
| Class 5 Novice Handler 18 years and over heat 1: | 1st Courtney Marson and Wee Peigi |
| 2nd Tanika Butler and Lara Croft | |
| Class 5 Novice Handler 18 years and over heat 2: | 1st Allison Parker and Kinglsey |
| 2nd Lesley Harris and Maeve | |
| Champion Novice Handler: | Allison Parker |
| Reserve Champion Novice Handler: | Lesley Harris |
The costume class was the most hotly contested event of the day. The standard was set years ago by the reigning champion Erica Smith, but this year the competition was out to get her. The Wiggles (Serenity and Murphy’s Law) unseated the Queen of Fancy Dress when they edged out the equally excellent team Mario (Glenstrae and Kenzie). Team Queen (Will with little Laudean Angela) was 4th. Also rans were team Shrek (Jazala and Kingsley).
The Main Event: Sunday 11 June
Sunday morning started frosty (as in hovering around zero) and early on Sunday as everyone got in to do last minute preening before the show kicked off at 9am. Victorian exhibitors had 12 animals on display, and achieved the following placings:
| Class | Result | Fold |
|---|---|---|
| Class 13 Heifer 16 months and under 20 months | 1st Hogmanay Mhairi of Glenstrae | Glenstrae |
| Class 14 Heifer 20 months and under 24 months | 1st Black Noir Dubh of Bairnsley | Bairnsley |
| 2nd Lara Croft 2nd of Bairnsley | Bairnsley | |
| 3rd Kenzie of Glenstrae | Glenstrae | |
| Champion Junior Female | Black Noir Dubh of Bairnsley | Bairnsley |
| Class 15 Cow or Heifer 24 months and under 36 months | 1st Murphy’s Law of Arcadia | Serenity |
| Class 16 Cows 3 years and under 5 years | 2nd Willowdean Skye of Glenstrae | Glenstrae |
| Reserve Champion Senior Female | Willowdean Skye of Glenstrae | Glenstrae |
| Grand Champion Female | Black Noir Dubh of Bairnsley | Bairnsley |
| Class 19 Bull 8mo and under 12 mo | 3rd Rycroft Philostrate of Bairnsley | Bairnsley |
| Class 21 Bull 20mo and under 24 mo | Kinglsey of Jindabyne | Jazala |
| Reserve Champion Junior Bull | Kinglsey of Jindabyne | Jazala |
Show Gallery
Thanks
This show represents a monumental effort on the part of the show organising committee, Judges Stephen Valentine (Saturday) and Keith Murdoch (Sunday), and the participants who trained, prepared and hauled their animals from as far afield as South Australia and Queensland.
