Recently back from the Canberra Royal Show, held from February 27 to March 1, last year’s New Zealand Agricultural Show Lady Isaac Scholarship winner said she was ‘‘open for business’’ after she led Ausline cattle at Canberra.
Caitlin (17) arrived back in Christchurch just in time to get to her 9am lecture at Lincoln University, where she is in the first year of an agricultural commerce degree.
‘‘It was really good, I really enjoyed it. I was handing out ribbons, recording results and helping behind the scenes, which is not something I get to do at home.’’
She presented ribbons at the youth show for stock judging, parading and school teams, as well as leading Ausline cattle entered by Well Station, Canberra.
Unlike last year’s New Zealand Agricultural Show, where she captained the Rangiora High School cattle show team as well as competing, Caitlin said she had more time to look around.
‘‘It’s about the same size as Christchurch, but it’s very much an Australian show. They had show bags to take around and they have quite cool craft sections and I got some cool ideas for how to use ribbons.’’
Caitlin and her elder sister, Georgia, were planning to lead cattle at the Malvern (March 28) and Oxford (April 4) A&P Shows for this year’s Oxford president Letitia Schroeder, but after that she was keen to hear from cattle breeders needing some assistance.
While not from a farming background, Caitlin said having a farm at Rangiora High School and the opportunity to be part of the cattle show team, with Rangiora cattle breeders Phil and Kay Worthington, had made it easier to get into agriculture.
‘‘We’re not farmers, unless you count three sheep as a farm. It’s all about passion. If you’re passionate it’s something you can really get into.’’
Caitlin was also part of Rangiora’s team which won last year’s FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year Tasman region competition and she hoped to be able to get along to cheer on her old school mates at this year’s regional final at the Malvern A&P Show.
-By David Hill
