CLEVELAND District State High School’s sheep showing team has returned victorious from the Queensland Royal Show with about 20 ribbons.
About 18 students had a sheep and took part in the competitions with classes of up to 20 competitors.
Agriculture teacher Pip Price said she was confident her students and sheep would perform well.
“I wasn’t astonished at all with the students in their handling and judging so I was very pleased and proud of their achievements,” she said.
“It’s very hard to get a ribbon at all at the Ekka let alone what the boys and girls have achieved at such a high level.
“There is a long history of Cleveland District State High School competing at the Ekka but I think this is the most ribbons the school has one at the show.”
Ms Price said the students prepared by practicing their judging and handling and competing at other shows.
“The lead up to the (Queensland Royal) Show was epic,” she said.
“We won every show that we attended before the Ekka, including Mt Gravatt, Pine Rivers, Marburg and Mudgeeraba.
“My seniors were the tutors for most of it and I was there, proudly in the background.”
Kasey Knight, Makayla Crawford and Dylan Cartwright were praised for winning ribbons for their judging and handling.
Year 10 student Kasey, who was runner up in senior handling and placing third for overall handler after competing against 80 people, said she was nervous during the elimination process but was confident with her performance.
Year 10 student Mikayla, who placed third in junior/senior judging, said she was proud of her achievement.
“I didn’t think I would place but I feel pretty good that I did,” she said.
“We had to judge three groups of sheep and only had two minutes per set before writing down what order we placed them as.
“Then I was one of the ones that got to speak up and talk about my decisions.
“When I went up to speak, I wasn’t nervous, I just told them what I thought and it was up to the judge from there.”
Year 9 student and highly commended handler Dylan said it was the second time handling sheep at a show.
”It’s pretty challenging trying to keep the sheep in line, making sure they’re not playing up and getting them at their best but it’s really fun,” he said.
“This is the first year I’ve been part of the team and I am enjoying it.
“It’s fun making new friends and learning about sheep and we have the best (agriculture) teacher.”
Jocelyn Garcia
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
