SCREAMS of jubilation erupted across the Brisbane Showgrounds on Tuesday evening with the girls from Tamworth's Calrossy Anglican School sweeping the heavily contested school steer judging competition.
Calrossy student Katrina Skewes said the win was a wonderful surprise for the team who had spent the past 12 months preparing for the competition.
"We're so happy to be here and it's great to finish up with this win," Katrina said.
The day, which saw 32 schools and more than 200 students come together for a massive junior competition extravaganza, was filled with friendly rivalry and enthusiasm.
Individual junior school champion judge was awarded to West Moreton Anglican College student Chloe Belchamber.
Junior led steers also had a phenomenal showing of cattle with Drillham-based judge Duncan Sturrock commending the line-up.
"Coming from a commercial production background, I wasn't attracted to the extremes and that might come back to bight me when they're hooked up," Mr Sturrock said.
"It's been a wonderful experience to see the children out in the ring doing their best and I congratulate them on their effort."
Champion junior led steer was awarded to West Moreton Anglican College exhibit Teddy Bear.
The 15-month-old Limousin-cross steer was prepared by the school on behalf of Cathy and Raymond Yarnold, Kingsthorpe, with Mr Sturrock keen to see the results of the carcase competition this Saturday.
"This has been an excellent show of butcher type cattle and we've had about 94 head through the ring throughout the day which is very encouraging."
Young paraders and young judges competition is a highlight for many students at the Ekka with champion school parader awarded to Samantha Dernee, Calrossy State High School, Tamworth, on Monday with Maleny teen Sarah Peters awarded reserve champion.
Samantha's success was bolstered after she was awarded grand champion parader at the recent Sydney Royal Show.
"I've been involved with the show cattle heavily since I joined the school team and I've had such a great time already at the show, this is a really exciting reward," Samantha said.
"I came up against so many other good paraders and now I'm looking forward to the steer competitions and then it's back to school next week."
Sarah, the reserve school parader, said paraders and young judges was a great way to learn about the cattle industry.
"You get lots of feedback from the judges and other people involved which is always great," she said.
"It's always so much fun and it's a nice way to meet different people."
The junior competitions are held in the lead up to Friday when the Royal Queensland show officially opens to the public.
Kate Stark
Queensland Country Life's markets editor.
Queensland Country Life's markets editor.
