SARAH Peters, a 17-year-old university student from the Sunshine Coast, has claimed the Jan Sinclair Memorial Perpetual Trophy after being named the champion young commercial judge.
The young commercial judges competition, held as part of the Ruralco commercial championships, took place at the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange, Gracemere, as the curtain raiser to the start of Beef 2015 on Sunday.
Judged by Rob Sinnamon, Yulgilbar Santa Gertrudis Stud, Baryulgil, NSW, the 150 young competitors were required to judge four pens of four head of cattle, based on conformation, muscling, market suitability and evenness of the pen, with points awarded for the order in which these pens were placed.
And for Sarah, who is studying a Bachelor of Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and has been competing in young judges competition since she was nine-years-old, the win was both a surprise and shock.
“The win would have to be one of my highlights but I was really surprised and shocked as I thought I was up against some really strong competition today,” Sarah said.
Sarah grew up on a cattle property at Connondale where her family run South Devon and Simmental cattle.
The competition was conducted for four age categories: under 12 years, 12-15 years; 15-18 years; and 18-21 years, and competitors were required to comment on the pens judged and why they placed them they way they did.
Mr Sinnamon said overall the competition was of a very professional standard.
“Sarah was a clear winner due to her accuracy and observation, and what she said was correct,” Mr Sinnamon said.
“Her broader knowledge of the cattle industry was evident.”
Sarah was awarded a total of 135 points for her judging.
And in what was an all girl victory, winning the under 12 years, was 11-year-old Georgie Coombe, Moura, on 121 points.
In the 12 and under 15 the winner was Lauren Moody, Dubbo, NSW, who was awarded 128 points, while Chloe Gould, Bownefels Angus, Nanango, was the winner of the 18 to 25 years group, on 135 points.