The inaugural junior judging competing at EP Stud Merino Breeders’ Association Expo was a resounding success, with 24 students taking part.
Competition organiser Tracey Dahlitz said it was really a trial to see much interest there was and despite it being school holidays students entered from the four schools invited – Cleve, Wudinna, Karcultaby and Cummins.
The youngest competitor – year six Cummins Area School student Sam Fitzgerald – won the event.
The 11-year-old said he was very excited to win and is keen to go to the Adelaide Show, if he can make it.
His parents Hayley and Shawn Fitzgerald run a small Poll Merino sheep flock on their farm.
However, Sam said he had been taught about Merinos by his grandfather, Peter Fitzgerald, who has a long running interest in sheep, and older brother Larry.
He practised after school leading up to the sheep judging by getting the sheep in the yards and looking at them and comparing them, with Grandpa and Larry helping him.
Second in the junior judging was home-schooled student Missie Mickan, of Cummins, with Cummins school student Ben Baines, of Ungarra, third.
Elders’ SA stud stock manager Alistair Keller gave students some tips and what to look for when assessing Merinos, as well as judging the competition.
Tumby Bay stud Secret Rocks supplied the four sheep for the junior judging, with Brenton Stratford also helping run the competition.
Junior judging classes have become increasingly popular across a variety of animals and breeds at the Royal Adelaide Show in the past decade, with winners representing South Australian in national competitions.
The association is keen to receive feedback on ideas for future Merino judging classes at the expo.
