BORDERTOWN High School's Anna Will led a brawny Boer goat to grand champion in the schools led goat wether competition at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Bordertown High School Bucky, from Geordie Elliott, GCL Boer Goats, Breakaway Creek, Vic, was named champion heavyweight wether on hoof and grand champion wether on hoof in a huge competition.
There were 197 students from 27 different schools testing their wares in the parade ring.
A 10-month-old Boer wether, Bucky was the standout in the 48 kilogram to 50.9kg class.
Bucky weighed in at 50kg with an eye muscle area of 30 millimetres and three-millimetres fat.
A former goat breeder, judge Abigail Hickman, Seaview, Curramulka, said Bucky caught her eye straight away.
"I liked this animal as soon as it walked in the ring," Mrs Hickman said.
"It has a beautiful structure to it.
"It's a really wide, broad animal and carries muscle right down into that back end."
The champion lightweight wether on hoof was awarded to Mount Compass Area School's Bon Chevon Albino, led by Brodie Thornton.
The Boer goat came from Owen and Tracy Bonython, Bon Chevon Gourmet Goats, Ebenezer, and also impressed the judge.
"It has got some really good muscle down through that backend and stands really wide," Mrs Hickman said.
The Urrbrae prize for best relationship between led goat wether and handler was judged by Chris Francis, Mount Barker.
Coordinating the farrier exhibition at the show and judging on the ease of handling and directing, Mr Francis chose handler Ava Roden, Trinity College, and her Boer goat Charlie.
Reserve champion heavyweight wether on hoof was awarded to Coota Park Curry P479, Gladstone High School, and came from Margaret Miller, Coota Park, Wallaroo.
Reserve champion lightweight wether on hoof went to Bon Chevon Bon Bon, Faith Lutheran College, and came from Bon Chevon Gourmet Goats.
Mrs Hickman said all of the competitors and studs that supplied animals did an amazing job, with some beautiful animals presented in the showring.
"This competition is an incredible learning opportunity," she said.
"The kids learn a lot about themselves, how to keep calm, how to control an animal, how to present an animal and how to control their own emotions.
"Even though some of the students will be disappointed, hopefully they can take those skills out of it."
Mrs Hickman said while class judging was an extremely difficult task, Bucky didn't need to get lucky to take out the top title.
"There were very strong entries, particularly through the middle classes," she said.
"It was very, very difficult to judge them.
"Having said that, the winner on the day was a clear winner."
