Canberra Show - all over for another year

Well - the dust has settled, and I am finally sitting down to tap out a report on Canberra Show.

This year was the first year Angus hasn't attended the show, HSC commitments making it too difficult for him to miss a week of school. Instead, I stepped up to the plate, for my first cattle show in about 5 years!

We took three head - a heifer, Zoom Zoom for the 18 and under 20 months class, and a cow with calf at foot for the over 30 months class - Wigram Sweet Shiraz with Monza.

For our three, it was a big shock. While Shiraz is a seasoned show cow who had previously been Champion Heifer at the 2011 show, and Zoom Zoom had attended the Youth Muster back in January, the mid-30s temps for the first few days of the show really tested them. Seven month old Monza suffered the most, so to keep them cool we tried to keep them outside in the shade or hosed them down when it got really hot.

Monza being a little champion while being patted by just about every kid in Canberra

Show day was Friday - and we were set for a 2pm start in 32 degree heat. The heat didn't help with the girls moods, with Zoom Zoom being pretty naughty in the ring and Shiraz in an extra-grumpy mood due to her full udder and hungry calf! Thankfully they pulled it together enough to score some ribbons for the team. Zoom Zoom was 3rd in her class, with the judge praising her size, and Shiraz was 2nd, Monza being a testament to her impressive breeding qualities.

Interestingly, we were very proud and slightly embarrassed when we found out Shiraz was the third oldest cow at the show, only a few months younger than a Murray Grey and a Speckle Park! Given that she was up against cows half her age of 7 years, her 2nd place was very exciting and impressive.

We now look forward to Blayney Show on the 18th March, a lovely little local show that always has a strong cattle program. Monza is currently being weaned so that he can attend as a Junior Bull, and we will be having a look in the paddock to see who else will make the trip.

Sleepy Moo Cows!