Hamish Maclure, Tarcutta, NSW, has taken out the Beef Cattle Handler championship at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show.
The 12 year old has been handling cattle for just 12 months, after giving it a go at his school, Wagga Wagga Christian College.
“My school said they’d be getting show cows, so I thought I’d have a go,” Mr Maclure said.
“I enjoy being able to use my skills and showing other people how to do it.”
He said he believes his biggest strength is presentation.
“I think I won because of how I stand them up, and present them,” he said.
Mr Maclure was offered a position to work with a young stud principal, Crystal Bell, at her stud, Prairie Falls, Flinders, after attending the Cattle Handlers Camp in Bendigo last year.
He said it’s been a good opportunity to learn new skills.
Judge Kim Groner, Elite Cattle Co, Meandarra, QLD, said she was incredibly impressed by the selection of handlers at this year’s competition.
Ms Groner said that Mr Maclure was a stand out.
“He was a very worthy winner in my eyes, he leads out extremely well, he doesn’t take his eyes off the judges, and everytime I look at him, he’s got his animal standing up perfectly square,” Ms Groner said.
“He’s done a tremendous job throughout the day.”
Mr Maclure won from the junior class, which Ms Groner said may have been an unexpected decision.
“Different judges might put different paraders in different spots, one decision can go one way one day, and then differently the next, it’s just dependent on the day,” she said.
There were four classes in the competition, junior (8-12yo), sub intermediate (13-15yo), intermediate (16-18yo), and senior (19-25yo), and the winner of each class came out for the grand champion judging.
Ms Groner said the winner of the sub intermediate class, Katie Archer, who paraded with a Simmental heifer, was incredibly relaxed.
“She walked around the ring extremely well, and had the heifer standing up really well,” she said.
“She answered all of my questions exceptionally.”
The parader from the intermediate class, Harry Turnham, was commended for his focus.
“This young man is extremely focused, he knows his animal inside and out, and stands him up really well,” she said.
Ms Groner said the contestant from the senior category, Steph Murphy, was a perfect example of a modern parader.
“It’s a shame she didn’t have more competition in her class, because she was definitely a stand out,” she said.
“She’s relaxed, and completely balanced with the animal.”
Mr Maclure said he was incredibly excited about his win.
“I’ve got some local shows coming up, and I’ll probably return next year.”
