Llandillo Soldier on the march to claim Champion of Champions

Llandillo Soldier S42 stormed through the ranks at the 2023 Royal Canberra Show to take the coveted Champion of Champions title.

Exhibited by Llandillo Poll Herefords, The Lagoon, NSW, the 875kg Soldier S42 came from the 20 to 24 months class to win senior champion and grand champion bull, and supreme exhibit under judge Gerald Spry, Mangoplah, NSW, and associate judge Hamish Maclure, Tarcutta, NSW.

The March 2021 drop bull was sired by Grathlyn Pacemaker and is out of Llandillo Corrisande. He was given a unanimous nod from the three interbreed judges Gerald Spry, Amy Birch, Eidsvold, Qld, and Sam Hunter, Yass, NSW to win the Champion of Champions bull followed by the overall title from 14 other bulls.

It was a back-to-back victory for Soldier as he had won the interbreed jackpot championship as an 11-month-old calf at the 2022 Royal Canberra Show, followed by supreme exhibit at Bathurst Royal Show, and grand champion at the All Breeds Junior Heifer Show and Hereford National Youth Show.

In the females, Shotgun Elsa T001, a January 2022 drop daughter of Elm Vale Promotion P008, was exhibited by Skye Hubbard, Shotgun Livestock, Cobbitty, to junior champion female with the July 2021 drop Kanimbla May S067, sired by Boyd 31Z Blueprint 6153, shown by Brett and Emily Keeble, Legacy Herefords, Zeerust, Vic, in reserve.

Llandillo Poll Herefords won the pair of heifers under 20 months.

Ken and Liz Ikin, Cloverlee Poll Herefords, Bannister, exhibited Cloverlee Asteret R604 to win senior and grand champion female. The cow was by Tarlee Mustang and out of Cloverlee Asteret P003, and was shown with her spring drop heifer calf sired by Mawarra Terminator Q274, Cloverlee Asteret T001.

Helen De Costa, Double H Herefords, Currawarna, NSW, showed the 2020 drop JTR Cherry R020 to reserve senior champion female. The cow was by JTR Patrick M015 and was shown with her spring drop heifer calf, Double H Cherry T094.

Tim and Jemma Reid, JTR Cattle Co, Roslyn, exhibited JTR Santiago S029 to junior champion bull. The spring 2021 drop bull was sired by Maildaburra Jarrah J2 and out of JTR Showgirl M018. Shotgun Livestock showed the Kidman Monaro N063 son, Kidman Sniper S196, into reserve senior champion bull.

JTR went on to win the pair of bulls under 20 months and the breeders group.

In the paraders, Herefords Australia Youth member Hayden Tarlinton, Bannister, NSW, showed his Hereford heifer to win novice champion under judge Annika Wynberg.

Palisade Ivy, exhibited by Sue Parish, Camden South, was sashed as supreme miniature Hereford exhibit over stable mate and grand champion bull Palisade Jim B.

1. Tim Reid, JTR Cattle Co, on the halter of junior champion bull JTR Santiago S029.

2. Shotgun Livestock showed the Kidman Monaro N063 son, Kidman Sniper S196, into reserve senior champion bull.

3. Associate judge Hamish Maclure, Renae Keith, handler Lee White, judge Gerald Spry and sponsor Shannon Lawlor with supreme exhibit Llandillo Solder S42.

Images: Renae Keith