A very productive ewe with her first progeny, a set of twins, was considered by judge Robert Grieve, Hillend Dorset Horn stud, Clarkes Hill, for the supreme exhibit for the South Suffolk breed at the 2019 Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo.
As far as Mr Grieve was concerned, besides her obvious fecundity, the ewe deserved her championship status for her covering and overall conformation yet retaining her essential femininity.
"She has plenty of meat right down through her hindquarters," he said.
"With a nice neck extension, good wool and very good on her feet."
Mr Shalders was presented with the Colin Christie Memorial Trophy for supreme South Suffolk exhibit by Ainslie Christie.
The trophy rotates on annual basis around the Lincoln, Romney and South Suffolk breeds, each of which Mr Christie bred and successfully showed.
In one year, when the show was held in Melbourne, he had the champion ram and ewe for each of the above breeds.
The ewe had previously been awarded the Kameroo South Suffolks Trophy for the best ewe when judged champion South Suffolk ewe.
The reserve champion ewe was bred and exhibited by Amanda Conley, Gotta Rock, The Rock, NSW.
The ewe was against the champion ram for the supreme but came up against a better sheep on the day who Mr Grieve thought was a great example of the breed.
Bred and exhibited by Barry Shalders, Willow Drive, Grassmere, the 12-month-old ram was considered true to the breed standard by Mr Grieve.
"He stands well, is very good behind and well fleshed all the way through to his hindquarter," he said.
"He has the right colouring for a South Suffolk and has a good neck extension."
Amanda Conley, Gotta Rock, The Rock, NSW, showed the breed group of one ram and two ewes; and she also exhibited the pair of South Suffolks.
"They had a bit more scale," Mr Grieve said.
"The woolly ewe carried the ram over the line."
Mr Shalders also showed the reserve champion ram.