That was how Murchison vet Michael Lilley felt after winning the National Bank Young Farmer Contest grand final in Dunedin on Saturday night.
It was a case of second time lucky for Mr Lilley (27), representing the Tasman region, after he finished last in the 2009 grand final.
Gore sheep, beef and cropping farmer Pete Gardyne, representing Otago-Southland, was second. He was also second in 2010.
Brought up on a sheep and cropping farm and educated at St Kevin's College, before completing a veterinary science degree at Massey University, Mr Lilley's long-time ambition had been to win the contest.
He was grateful for the "huge support" he had received, including from the contingent that travelled south to support him.
"They are all very hoarse now," he said yesterday.
Wife Kelly, who is expecting the couple's first child in nine weeks, had helped him with his studying and kept him calm during grand final week, he said.
Mr Lilley, who won a prize pack valued at $70,000, was looking forward to a quieter week this week.
"I might just chill out and read the newspaper at home," he said.
Winning the title would give him the confidence to keep moving forward in the agriculture industry.
He hoped to combine both his work as a vet and as a farmer in the future.
Nearly 1000 people attended the televised evening show and ball at the Edgar Centre on Saturday night.
The AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg grand finals were also held in Dunedin, in conjunction with the contest.
Prue Buckingham, Jessica Dermody and Lachlan Crosbie from Tokanui won the AgriKidsNZ competition, while Tom Monteath and Danny Brooker from Christchurch Boys' High School were the TeenAg champions.
Mr Gardyne's younger brother, Richard, and Robert Gregory, from Gore, were second.