Champion Middleweight Steer at Northern Schools Steer Competition

     On the 5th and 6th of November, Coonabarabran High School Cattle Team students attended the Hoof and Hook competition held in Barraba this year.  Coonabarabran High School competed with a Black Limousin steer and a Limousin cross Angus steer, belonging to Warren and Carlene Scifleet. Both steers were fed for 150 days at the school and broken in by the students during this time.

     The competition, which ran over two days, consisted of Parading competitions, Junior Judging and Lightweight through to Heavyweight classes for steers and heifers. All these competitions were hotly contended by the 20 or so schools which all entered their prime animals in the 6 different weight classes. The Black Limousin steer in the Middleweight section, was placed fifth in the ring. This steer went on to gain Champion on the Hook in the Middleweight, and third highest point score in the Hook section, a great achievement for the breeder and the school.

     Four Year 7 Coonabarabran students were up against older students in the Parading competition, many with years of experience, but despite the tough competition, they presented themselves and their steers in a professional manner. With more practice and experience, these students will go on to do well in future competitions. These students had been kindly coached by Peter Godbolt of Elders, Binnaway, in the finer points of parading and ring craft, as well as showing them how to clip and prepare the animals. We thank him for giving his time to do this, and the students gained much from him sharing his own experience in the ring with them.

     Students are looking forward to next years’ show season, breaking in and preparing heifers and bulls has already begun.

	16/12/08 - Last term, Mrs Webb and the school’s cattle team showed two steers at the Barraba show.  The students and steers met with success in their parading sections.  One of the steers won the Champion Middle Weight steer and was Grand Champion for the show in the carcass competition that followed.  Maddison Quinlin and Emma Ward presented Mr Sharp with its ribbons at a morning assembly.  The steers the team took to Barraba belong to Warren and Carlene Scifleet of the Black Opal Limousin Stud.  We appreciate their contribution to our students.