The grand champion ram and ewe of the Corriedale feature breed judging at Sheepvention, Hamilton, were by the same Quamby Plains sire but exhibited by two Victorian studs.
Judge Jan Hunt, formerly of Wye Corriedale stud, awarded the grand champion Corriedale ram to one exhibited by the Ellis family’s Sweetfield stud, Mount Moriac, Victoria.
In awarding the grand champion, Mrs Hunt put the Sweetfield’s junior above the senior champion from Croydon stud, Condah, Vic, for its lovely, white wool; great carcase attributes and correctness.
She said it was “all together a true Corriedale”.
Principal Bron Ellis said the winning ram had a winning pedigree – its mother was by Sweetfield Sandiago that won supreme at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, Bendigo, and Sheepvention in 2007.
The grand champion Corriedale ewe was also the junior winner, exhibited by Loddon Park stud, Baringhup, Vic.
Mrs Hunt said it was a very true Corriedale type and feminine. She said it carried good fleece and had a great carcase.
It is the same ewe that won grand champion ewe at Bendigo.
Principal Shane Baker said he planned for it to be returned to the stud’s breeding program – which suffered a terrible blow when all but one of the stud’s breeding ewes were killed in a bushfire in 2013.
These grand champions were chosen from a field of about 80 entries from 10 exhibitors. Sweetfield won most successful exhibitor.
