Enthusiastic school children from all over Regional NSW gathered at the Wagga Wagga showground for the Australian Poll Dorset Junior Muster.
The event was held over two days with the first day being a training seminar on trimming, preparing and handling sheep for showing, followed by the students showing what they have learnt on the Sunday with a show.
The event was organised and run by Amanda Smith of Uralla Poll Dorsets, Tocumwal and Chris Marr of Gererdan stud, Marrar.
Amanda Smith started the junior muster after experiencing difficulty in finding information seminars on preparing and showing her sheep.
“I started the junior muster originally as just a one day training seminar in Finley for anyone wanting information on showing their sheep,” Ms Smith said.
“The response and support was amazing and it has been running now for three years with 450 kids attending.
“We decided to expand the event to two days and incorporate a show on the Sunday so the kids have a chance to showcase the skills they had learnt on the Saturday,” she said.
The students prepared, washed and trimmed their sheep under the guidance of professionals including Gordon Close who is the NSW state president of the Australian Poll Dorset Association.
Chris Marr, Vice Chairman of the Australian Poll Dorset association, was the judge on the Sunday and was impressed with the students’ skills.
“It was actually quite hard to judge the students as they were all very professional and presented their sheep well,” Mr Marr said.
“The novice handler was quite difficult to narrow down to the final three as they didn’t seem inexperienced at all.
“I was very impressed and pleased that the kids had really listened and were keen to show me what they had learnt,” he said.
Ms Smith praised the Poll Dorset breeders for their support and enthusiasm for the junior muster event.
“The support from the Poll Dorset breeders has been amazing, the event costs about $10,000 to put on and the Poll Dorset breeders have donated all of it.
“We are so lucky to have such great support from the community and our sponsors Landmark and Pfizer Animal Genetics who donated prizes for the students,” Ms Smith said.
Mt Austin High School Agriculture teacher Amanda Conley bought six students to the junior muster.
She described the junior muster as “well paced, with relevant lectures”.
“It is by far the most interesting seminar I have attended,” Ms Conley said.
“The students are really enjoying themselves and it’s great to have events like this that instills passion into the kids,” she said.
The major winner on the Sunday was Hannah Campbell from Finley High School.
Hannah took out the champion handler title and champion herdsman which was judged over the two days on skill levels and how the students handled themselves.
“I have had a great two days,” Ms Campbell said.
“I have learnt so much, my ambition is to have my own Poll Dorset stud which I am in the process of starting.
“This seminar has made me realise what is involved in this industry,” she said.
All students received prizes and a certificate of attendance.
A spokesperson from the school thanked Amanda and the team for a great event.
“ I am happy to keep holding these events as being a breeder myself we are keen to encourage and educate the youth of today so they can keep the breed going with enthusiasm and passion to become our future sheep breeders,” Ms Smith said.
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