HAYLEY Madden has emerged from a large field of entrants – 78 in total – to gain the accolade of being the best young dairy handler in SA.
Judge David Peglar, Langhorne Creek, said 20-year-old Ms Madden, Maslin Beach, was “faultless” in working with the heifer, even when swapped to a new animal.
“She had the legs set up nicely and fast – she got in there and got it done,” she said.
Ms Madden is not from a typical dairy background, having got involved through friends.
For the past decade she has been leading cows and “everything else that comes with it”.
“It’s a great opportunity for travelling and meeting lots of new friends,” she said.
“I’m always learning new things.”
Ms Madden works in a bakery but would says the dairy industry is “definitely something I want to be part of”.
Mr Peglar acknowledged the large job he had to select a winner.
“It was a massive night, with a lot of kids, but that is what the show is about – bringing on the youth,” he said.
Mr Peglar said he had been attending the Royal Adelaide Show since he was the age of the sub-junior class.
“I pick up something new every time I come out (into the ring),” he said.
Reserve champion went to Jack Edmonds, Naracoorte, who won the junior class, which had record numbers and was run across two heats.
“He was relaxed with heifer, found his way to the front of the class comfortably,” Mr Peglar said.
“I like that he’s not afraid to put his hands on the heifer and used pressure points rather than his own feet to get the heifer standing right.”
Honourable mention went to intermediate winner Jackie Davies, Murray Bridge, with Mr Peglar saying she did an “exceptional job” and praising the “head carriage” of her heifer.
Sub-junior winner Georgia Atkins, Valley View, won an Ayrshire heifer donated by Cher-Bar stud.
The Landmark encouragers award went to Cobie Edmonds, Langhorne Creek.
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
