Corriedale working ram reigns supreme

Two studs, Gambier View Corriedale stud, Derrinallum, and Sweetfield, Mount Moriac, dominated the placings.

The boy who found himself holding the Corriedale's pale blue supreme ribbon was 14-year-old Charlie Savage of Gambier View.

Even then, it was difficult to crack the young man's game face into a smile.

Tracey Savage said her son was the driver of Gambier View's show schedule.

"We hadn't shown for quite a number of years but Charlie got his father, Milton, showing again," she said.

"He really loves the farm and sheep and you can see the very intense concentration on his face."

The father and son team claimed impressive wins with the junior, senior and grand champion ram, supreme champion Corriedale, the J.F.Guthrie Perpetual Cup and the Gloxhill Perpetual Trophy.

"Charlie's as keen as mustard and we're feeling on top of the world," Mr Savage said.

"There was barely any preparation, the sheep came out of the paddock four weeks ago and they haven't had anything special.

"This ram has just been serving 80 ewes."

Mr Savage described Gambier View's trademark as "chunky, structurally correct and a very meaty sheep with excellent quality stronger Corriedale wool".

Last year's ewes yielded 7.2 kilogram, 27.5 micron fleeces and weighed 80-100kg.

He said the breed had "an immense future" and many of the 55 rams Gambier View sold last year were put over Merino ewes to improve their structure and longevity.

"Our ewes can go six to eight years and they're fantastic mothers," he said.

When it came to Corriedale ewes at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, the dominant force was Sweetfield, which won junior and senior champion, then grand champion, ewe, as well as the national weaner competition.

Bron Ellis and son, Leigh, took to the ring to show off ewes judge Danile Mosele described as having traditional Corriedale characteristics, coupled with a nice carcase carrying good commercial fleeces.

Mr Ellis said the junior champion ewe had a 28 micron fleece with 41mm eye muscle depth and shared her sire with the senior and grand champion ewe.

Joining the celebration, young fellow studmaster Kane Hildred paid tribute to Ms Ellis' role as a mentor to many.

"I think it's important to give young people the opportunity to experience showing," Ms Ellis said.