A FIRST-TIME exhibitor to the Royal Melbourne Show returned home with the supreme champion Dorper title this afternoon.
Carolyn Thorburn's four-year-old ewe entry from her Oakview Stud at Toolamba was awarded the top gong by judge Dianne Huett.
The 87 kilogram animal was exhibited with a six-week-old ewe lamb at-foot, while her figures displayed 8mm fat, 38mm eye muscle depth and 81mm width.
"She is a beautiful feminine ewe, with plenty of muscle in all the right places," Ms Huett said.
"She will go a long way."
Stud principal Ms Thorburn admitted she was overwhelmed with the win.
"She is four, so it is wonderful that a 4yo can achieve this," she said.
It's been a big year for the breeder, who has been running Dorpers on her farm for about four years.
"This ewe also got reserve champion at the national show at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show this year and we were most successful exhibitor at the nationals too," Ms Thorburn said.
"We also got the highest price ewe price of $5000 at the national sale.
"It's been amazing."
She prepared two rams and three ewes for the Royal Melbourne Show, and the stud's supreme is expected to be flushed for future breeding.
The Dorper ewe edged out the champion ram on the day for the supreme title, which was awarded to an entry from David Hewitt's Olsen Park Dorper Stud at Koondrook.
