Kellie Williams, Kel-lee Droughtmasters, Upper Barron, may not remember the cow she won out of a competition as an eight-year-old but there’s no doubt the 2016 show circuit will be etched in her memory for years to come.
Ms William’s bull Kel-lee A Hotshot was named supreme champion at the Cairns Show last week
The accolade at Cairns, one of Australia’s largest regional shows, was sweet but made all the more sweeter it being the third consecutive show – earlier Malanda and Atherton – where the 30-month-old, 802 kg Droughtmaster claimed top gong.
“It’s pretty exciting to be crowned supreme champion from three shows,” Ms Williams said.
”He’s always been a standout from day one. He won junior championships all the way along last year.
“I think it may be the first time that the same animal has won at three shows in a row.”
Ms Williams and her family established the Droughtmaster stud about 22 years ago after she won a cow in a puzzle competition run by the North Queensland Register.
“It all started from there and we’ve been showing for 22 years,” Ms Williams said. “I enjoy the atmosphere of showing. It’s been bred into us.
“Showing is a good promotion for studs but its also a good promotion for the breeds as well.”
Joining Kel-lee A Hotshot in the winners circle was Fassifern Kelsey, Fassifern Droughtmasters, owned by Jacinta Pedersen, Tarzali.
Jacinta’s parent Mo and Charleene Pedersen own Fassifern Limousins. Kelsey also won supreme champion female at the Malanda Show.
In the dairy ring, the supreme champion cow went to Ourway Ernesto Baronessa from Owen Daley’s Ourway Holsteins, at Millaa Millaa. Cherie Davis, Green Valley Illawarras, Millaa Millaa, was named the most successful dairy exhibitor with a show team of 12 Illawarra cows including a purchase from the Sale of the Century Auction at Malanda’s centenary show.
Eachamvale Chance 22, from Greg and Bronwyn English’s Eachamvale Illawarras, won the triple crown, having won a champion sash in the dairy section at the Malanda, Atherton and Cairns Shows.