EKKA week has officially kicked off with more than 500 students from across Queensland and northern NSW competing in the young paraders and led steer events early this week.
Monday featured the young paraders and champion of the day was awarded to 13-year-old Kingaroy local Carmen Sowden.
The St Mary's Catholic College student has recently launched a stud with her sister, breeding Limousin cattle and show steers.
"It was amazing - it hasn't really sunk in yet but I'm pretty happy," Carmen said. "I've been preparing for this competition since last year and there's a lot of practice and hard work that goes into it."
Carmen said her love of beef cattle had led her to pursue parading.
"I love the animals and meeting new people and learning new things - I really enjoy preparing the cattle for showing. It's exciting to be here."
500 students kick off Ekka competitions
Courtney Fleming, Bundaberg Christian College with the schools' Limousin steer during the led competition.
Led steer competition judge Rodney Freeman, RNJ Charolais. Tallegalla.
Winner of the led steer competition was awarded to Holy Trinity School, Inverell, with their 10-month-old SImmental/Shorthorn-cross steer Derek. Pictured with the winning beast is Kathy Townsend, Holy Trinity School, RNA Beef Cattle Chairman Gary Noller, Dylan Hobday, Holy Trinity School, with Lauren Moody and Bill Cornish from St Johns' College, Dubbo.
Georgia Brown, Julie Walker and Emily Lawrence, Warwick State High School.
Maleny State High School students Benjamin Maclean and Caitlin Franklin.
Blake Rea and Byron Brunner, Kingaroy State High School.
Chloe Kemph and Summer Hayes, Downlands College.
Downlands College show team coordinator Stephen Murrell with 10-month-old Downlands Kinght.
Young judges competitors in action.
More than 500 young judge competitors took over the main ring on Tuesday.
Champion young parader Carmen Sowden, St Mary's Catholic College, Kingaroy, and reserve champion Lauren Moody, St John's College, Dubbo, celebrate their Ekka prize.
Young judges champion Bill Cornish, St John's College, Dubbo, and reserve champion Mitch Franz, Dalby State High School.
Young parader coordinator Doug McDougall.
Tegan Moller, Bullyard, and Elizabeth Creagh, Bald Hills, oversee the young paraders results.
Young paraders judge Kirrily Iseppi, GK Livestock, Dalby.
Hundreds of students turned out to the main oval at the RNA Showgrounds on Monday to compete in the young parader event.
12-year-old Dalby State High School student Thomas Llewellyn proudly received an encouragement award.
Lily Kemph, Toowoomba, and John Koehler, Bunya Mountains.
Young paraders get a helping hand from their teachers on the finer points of competition.
Jack Wilson, Muswellbrook, and Chester the 8-month-old Limousin/Hereford/Charolais-cross.
Casino mates Alex Sullivan and Lachlan Trustum catch up during the young paraders event.
Patiently waiting for their class event during the young paraders competition were Dubbo students Gemma Lyford and Sam Parish with their Limousin steers Kevin and Alvin.
Winner of the led steer competition was awarded to Holy Trinity School, Inverell, with their 10-month-old SImmental/Shorthorn-cross steer Derek. Pictured with the winning beast is Kathy Townsend, Holy Trinity School, RNA Beef Cattle Chairman Gary Noller, Dylan Hobday, Holy Trinity School, with Lauren Moody and Bill Cornish from St Johns' College, Dubbo. Click on the image to view a gallery from the event.
Reserve champion Lauren Moody from St John's College, Dubbo, was also excited with her win after her hard work and preparation paid off.
"I've been doing this for five years now after getting involved in it through school," Lauren said.
The 15-year-old has also started her own Limousin stud and hopes to continue growing her herd and exhibiting in the future.
"I've had a lot of support from my parents and the school and really appreciate it."
Young paraders are judged on their ability to show the animal, stand it up and put forward its presence to the judges with Carmen and Lauren knocking the competition out of the park to claim victory. After the young paraders competition were the young judges who took to the main ring on Tuesday, giving school teams the opportunity to master the art of evaluating a steer for carcase quality. Most successful school was awarded to St John's College, Dubbo, who ended with a total score of 67 points.
