FINALISING a show career with a bang!
That's what the roller coaster ride has been for the grand champion bull of the 60th annual Dectomax Dubbo Shorthorn National, Sprys Extra Special, which started his show career at Adelaide Royal last year taking out junior and grand championships as a yearling.
Bred and shown in partnership by Gerald and Lynden Spry, Sprys Shorthorns, Wagga Wagga, and David and Marion Spencer, Spencer Family Shorthorns, Yuroke, and soon moving to Rutherglen, Victoria, the 23 month-old son of Muridale Thermal Energy 15A weighing 918 kilograms, may have been runner-up at Melbourne Royal, but came out blazing at Sydney Royal this year taking the senior and grand championships.
Displaying an eye muscle area (EMA) of 127 square centimetres and fat distribution of 23 millimetres rump and 15mm rib and scrotal circumference of 40cm, Extra Special was judged Dubbo's Division 3 champion before the grand award by judge, Peter Falls, Malton stud, Finley, in is second officiating role at this Dubbo fixture, the first in 2013.
Mr Falls said he had to admire Extra Special's thickness and his ability to carry his muscle and weight.
In comparing breed exhibits then and now Mr Falls said the exciting thing was the cattle still had volume and size.
"But they've also got increased fat cover and more eye muscle area. Their structure is better. The bulls on their feet and legs are awesome," he said.
Mr Falls chose for his junior Division 1 champion, Kamilaroi Turvey, by Yamgurgan Emperor J404, shown by Calrossy Anglican School, Tamworth, and weighing 878kg at 21 months with an EMA of 126sqcm.
"He's the safest bull in the line-up, so smooth with a good carcase," Mr Falls said.
Reserve Division 1 champion was The Trap Navigator shown by Miranda and Darcey Eyb and the Johnstone family, Lyndhurst.
Division 2 championship was awarded to Tarraganda TG Night Rider, by Glengyron Governor, shown by David and Marion Morris and family, Tarraganda stud, Young. He weighed 896kg at 22 months and displayed a 131sqcm EMA.
Mr Falls said Night Rider was outstanding. "He has plenty of mobility, a great muscle pattern and shape."
Division 2 reserve champion was Nagol Park RR Nota, shown by Roger and Niaomi Evans, Nagol Park stud, Tamworth.
The oldest class produced Division 4 champion, Polldale Neat, a son of Royalla Quandialla weighing 950kg at 26 months with a 134sqcm EMA, shown by Kim and Elizabeth Williams and family, Polldale stud, Dubbo.
Reserve champion of Division 4 was Caskieben Zeus by Yamburgan Zeus, shown by the Williams family, Carisbrook, Vic. Division 3 reserve was Bayview Thomas, by Sprys Annies Legend, shown by the Thompson family, Yorketown, South Australia.