2023 Highland Handlers Camp – the User Experience

Following on from the success of the inaugural 2020, 2021, 2022 Victorian Highland Breeders Group Highland Handlers Camp, the 2023 event, albeit with a date change to a warmer part of the year, was held at Warragul Show Grounds over the Grand Final long weekend.

Megan Howse

Events

October 13, 2023

Friday lunchtime – the weekend kicked off with the first of many delicious catered meals (shout out to the chefs for the weekend, Pam and Hugo!), before it was time to meet our rent-a-coos (ballot animals) which we would be partnered with for the duration of the event. Before the weekend, some people had never touched a cow before (and it showed), so the organisers made sure to partner them up with cows which had never been touched before…. I cheated in that I picked my cow going into the camp because I knew she would be the cutest one there.

After learning how to take care of our animals, the rest of the days schedule involved a group handling session, halter tying (I still don’t understand what a ‘spadoing’ is, or, indeed, how to spell it), pizza night and a talk by Glenn (and his string) and Fiona about cattle structure, with a very compliant live model. After making sure the animals were fed and watered, it was (finally) time for bed.

Show prep started, with the three groups alternating between washing, blow drying and handling practice. As well as making sure our show leathers were spick and span before the show day. We were also treated to a mock show by some of the experienced handlers, who aptly demonstrated what TO and what NOT TO DO in the show ring (don’t swear at your cow – Glenn). The afternoon session also involved some Highland specific grooming – polishing horns and a clipping demo by Fiona.

Sunday was the big day, we snuck in one more handling session before the gloves came off and it was competition time. One last blow dry to make sure there were no more bits of sawdust or hay hidden in the hairy coats and then into the ring. We were divided into four classes; juniors, intermediates, seniors and geriatrics.

Grand Champion Handler Sponsored by Bairnsley Highlands (Leather Show Halter – $150.00)
Megan Howse

Junior Breed Representative Sponsored by Cambus Glen Highlands (Show Cane – $50.00)
A special award for the handler who was judged by the instructors to be the best ambassador for the Highland Breed (being kind and helpful both inside & outside the ring) – Lachlan Adams.

Cracked Rib Award – For Bravery!
Isla Butler

The Victorian Highland Breeders Group would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions:

Australian Highland Cattle Society ($1,000) ;

Glenn and Melissa Adams provided hay for the weekend;

Erica Smith and Multicubes for their donation of multicubes to the winners and ballot animal providers;

Thank you to all those involved with organising the event. It was a lot of fun, and we certainly learnt a lot. It was clear that an event like this could not have happened without a tremendous amount of effort from the organisers, volunteers and all the people behind the scenes.: thanks to our three presenters Fiona, Glenn Adams and Glen Hastie, for giving up their weekend to impart a little of their years of cattle wisdom; to the owners of the ballot animals from Bairnsley, Cambus Glen, Cleugh Burn, Glenstrae, Sea Crest, Serenity and Spergour folds who transported their animals to Warrigul; to Pam and Hugo for catering; David for playing quizmaster; Arlo and Zach for helping out with whatever was needed. Judge Annette Walker for donating her time and wisdom, and for her thoughtful comments. And finally, to the VHBG organising committee for coordinating the whole effort and all the participants who made the weekend such a great success

I can personally attest to my relationship with my cow improving, after spending a weekend so close to their pokers and stompers. Looking forward to putting it all into practice at Bendigo!