Royal Queensland Show
We took a record team of nine to the Royal Queensland Show ‘Ekka’ which included eight from our stable plus our recently purchased sire, RSVP Jackpot whom we jointly exhibited with RSVP Droughtmaster Stud.
Whilst the numbers were down this year, the quality of the cattle certainly wasn’t. We were thrilled that seven of the nine placed in their respective classes (Fitzgerald; Fortitude; Gunnabel; Gretel; Fontine; Fairibel and Jackpot). Nindethana Fairibel went on to be awarded Champion Junior Heifer and received the Betty Baker Memorial Trophy, and RSVP Jackpot was awarded Reserve Senior Champion Bull.
Ekka 2015 will certainly go down as a most memorable experience, not because of any awards that may have been won, but for the atmosphere within the shed and the spirit and camaraderie of the Droughmaster team. It was a great week, shared with a wonderful group of people! Thank you to everyone that made this possible and a special thanks to our team Captain Margaret Wilson.
A big thank you to Jenny Underwood for highjacking my camera and taking all these lovely photos.
WOODFORD SHOW
We took a team of seven to the WOODFORD SHOW, five of whom placed in their respective classes (Fitzgerald, Fletcher, Gunnabel, Florabel and Fairibel). The star of the team this week was Fitzgerald who won Champion Droughtmaster Bull, Champion Tropical Breeds Bull and then went on to win Supreme Champion Bull of the Show.
TOOGOOLAWAH SHOW
We had a great day at TOOGOOLAWAH SHOW on Saturday. We took a team of seven and were very happy that six of the seven were placed in their respective classes with Fitzgerald going on to win Reserve Champion Senior Bull. Full results:
Gunnabel – 1st (bull 6 – 12 months)
Fletcher – 3rd (bull 16 – 20 months)
Fitzgerald – 2nd (bull 20 – 24 months) and Reserve Senior Champion
Fairibel – 2nd (heifer 16 – 20 months)
Florabel – 3rd (heifer 20 – 24 months)
Fontine – 2nd (heifer 20 – 24 months)
BEEF 2015
What a great week it was at Beef Australia 2015 in Rockhampton last week. We met some lovely people, admired some beautiful cattle and enjoyed the company of great friends.
Our team of six (three bulls and three heifers) did us proud and we were thrilled with their individual performances. Nindethana Fortitude placed 4th in his class (bull 13 – 16 months) and Nindethana Florable placed 5th in her class (female 17 – 19 months). We also placed third in the sire’s progeny with Fitzgerald, Fortitude and Fontine, all of whom are progeny of Bryvonlea Malachi who has done a wonderful job in our herd.
Michael was on photo detail during judging and whilst he took lots of photos, unfortunately not too many of them actually included OUR cattle. We were there – honestly. And we have some lovely memories so can’t complain. I am however looking for a new photographer!!!
Our heartfelt thanks to our support team: Lawrence Sehmish-Lahey and Tim Woodworth.
KILCOY SHOW
We took the team to KILCOY SHOW this weekend – our last outing before heading to Beef 2015. There was another good showing of stud beef cattle with over 120 nominations, as breeders no doubt prepare for Rockhampton next month. Our little team of six performed very well with five of the six scoring awards.
The three boys did really well:
Nindethana Fletcher Junior Champion Tropical Bull
Nindethana Fortitude Reserve Junior Champion Tropical Bull
Nindethana Fitzgerald Reserve Senior Champion Tropical Bull
The girls also performed well:
Nindethana Fairibel Junior Champion Tropical Female
Nindethana Florabel Second (heifer 18 – 24 months)
To top off the day, we placed FIRST in the Interbreed Breeder’s Group with our team of Fitzgerald, Fortitude and Florabel.
Congratulations to Carnudge Droughtmasters, which also enjoyed success on the day. Thanks again to our great support team: Dan, Lawrence and Tim.
NANANGO SHOW
We took the team to the 2015 Nanango Show – our second show for the season. There were a large number of exhibits and some fairly tough competition in the Tropical Breeds ring. Brahmans certainly dominated on the day however, it was pleasing to see a sprinkling of awards going to the Droughtmasters.
We were happy with the performance of our entire team. They all paraded well and behaved perfectly! Nindethana Fitzgerald and Nindethana Florabel both placed second in their respective classes (Bull 16-20 months and Female 16-20 months). Nindethana Fortitude placed third in his class (Bull 12-16 months). We also placed second in the Interbreed Sire’s Progeny with Fitzgerald, Fortitude and Fairibel, (progeny of Bryvonlea Malachi), and fourth in the Interbreed Breeder’s Group. Congratulations to Vale View Droughtmasters and Carnudge Droughtmasters who also enjoyed success on the day.
FUTURITY 2015
The 30th anniversary of the Gatton Futurity this past weekend is one that will certainly remain etched in my memory for a long time. It was wonderful to meet some of the original members of the Society who played such a significant role in the development and advancement of our great breed, and to hear their stories of those earlier years and the evolution of the Futurity as a key event on the Droughtmaster calendar.
It was our fifth Futurity, although the first at which we had prepared and paraded our own animals, which made it very special indeed. We took a team of seven and were thrilled that five of the seven were awarded places in their receptive classes: Gunnable; Fortitude; Fitzgerald; Fairibel and Florabel.
We were placed first in the breeders group (now that was exciting) and then went on to be awarded the most successful exhibitor!!!