A dab hand in the show ring

Jared Rutten, (16), of Invercargill, has been showing calves most of his life and doing well at it. He recently won the Intermediate Aaklands Clutha Dairy Handlers competition, with the most points earned at the combined West Otago, South Otago and A&P sh
Jared Rutten, (16), of Invercargill, has been showing calves most of his life and doing well at it. He recently won the Intermediate Aaklands Clutha Dairy Handlers competition, with the most points earned at the combined West Otago, South Otago and A&P shows in December. Photo: Supplied
Jared Rutten has had a successful run in the show ring in the past few years including at the recent Holstein Friesian youth camp at Stratford.

He won the title for best-presented heifer in his class and the Dennis Terry Memorial trophy for most improved clipper.

He also won the Intermediate Aaklands Clutha Dairy Handlers competition, with the most points earned at the combined West Otago, South Otago and Tokomairiro A&P shows in December.

A Verdon College pupil, Jared (16), comes from several generations of dairy farmers, and has been mainly showing milking shorthorn calves at A&P shows since he was about 5.

His mother, Nicola Muller, has a lifestyle block and the Glenmoor Milking Shorthorn Stud near Invercargill.

His grandparents, Bill and Margaret Muller, milk 720 cows at New River Ferry, near Invercargill, while his great-grandfather was also a dairy man.

‘‘My mum got me into it, mainly showing milking shorthorns,’’ he said.

‘‘I have done it ever since I was young and stuck with it and eventually got good at it.

‘‘I have won a decent number of awards. My mum has bags of ribbons in a cupboard.’’

The stud did well in December’s Wyndham show, winning and placing in seven dairy sections.

‘‘The biggest award was the Champion All Breeds Dairy Cow,’’ he said.

That was won by Glenmoor Honey Bee.

‘‘We came home with a decent amount of trophies that day,’’ he said.

‘‘It is always fun when we win something.

‘‘I am most proud of the South Island Milking Shorthorn award, which I won in 2016 or 2017 at the Invercargill show.’’

Jared has been learning to handle stock according to breed.

‘‘Different judges look for different things,’’ he said.

‘‘All the breeds have different variables.’’

He relief milks for his grandparents and when not at school enjoys playing soccer and riding motocross.

However, he is unsure what he wants to do when he leaves school, although he would like to continue with the stud.

‘‘I like my cows and calves, but waking up at 4am for the rest of my life doesn’t appeal.’’

He also enjoys the camaraderie at the shows and talking to his friends and making new ones with similar interests.

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