Youth shines at Royal Show

After five years competing in the Gun Fitter Competition, Mr Reid has secured the ultimate title as the best of the best fitters in southern Australia.

He was put against nine competitors as they raced one another and the clock as they prepare cattle for the judging ring - washing, grooming and clipping the animal within the 30minute timeframe.

He presented a Limousin bull, borrowed from Myers Livestock, in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

"It was my fifth attempt so I knew time management was the most important thing in the competition," Mr Reid said.

"Thirty minutes wasn't enough time to do everything so I focused on getting the legs set and glued, front and back with the right angles, and then concentrated on the top line, tail head after that."

Mr Reid has been showing cattle all his life but a stint in north America in 2008 to 2009 introduced him to fitting and clipping cattle.

Since then, he has been committed to winning the event, after placing second in the past two years.

"It is an honour to say that you've won it," he said.

"I've been second three times so it was motivating to stop being the bridesmaid and finally say you've won it."

Mr Reid will return to the show next year where he will judge the 2015 entrants.

Meanwhile, enthusiastic young Hereford handlers won the respected Waterford Charolais Youth Team Challenge at Royal Melbourne Show for their ability to work as a team.

The challenge is judged on the teamwork in preparing an animal for judging, leading and handling.

The Hereford team was captained by Kiralee Gahan, 17years-old, Fairy Hill, NSW, with team members, Thomas Holt, 8, Urana, NSW, Jordan Alexander, 14, Bowral, NSW, Alexander Chester, 16, Koonoomoo, Vic, Bradyen and Bronte Bowles, 14 and 11, Axe Creek, Victoria.

Judge Rachel Wheeler, T&R Genetics, Wellington, NSW said the passion among the young teams was inspiring.

"I got down to nitty thing like picking up halters and picking out ears," Ms Wheeler said.

"You guys are certainly the future of the industry and I really hope you continue with it because you all possess a lot of talent."

It was a first-time win for the breed and capped off a successful Melbourne Royal for Hereford Youth members. The team used a heifer donated by Kanimbla stud, Holbrook, NSW.

Team members are aged between eight to 21 years-old and are required to wash, groom and prepare an animal for the ring before being judged in the ring for their stock handling skills.

The VASA State final was taken out by passionate young cattle breeder Ryan Bajada who was commended by judge for his honest assessment of the cattle.