Teen rules supreme as Stanthorpe show attracts top stud cattle

A young cattleman showed his elders that age was no barrier when he won the supreme beef exhibit in the stud cattle event at the Stanthorpe Show last month.

Fletcher Skillington, 13, was thrilled when Cassaglen Deep Secret, a three-and-a-half-year-old cow, and her nine-month-old bull calf V8, sired by Ekka champion bull Cassaglen Raptor, that he selected and trained won the title.

While he's part of the family business Cassaglen Charolais at Dalveen, Fletcher said he always decided which cows he wanted to buy, grow, and train to show in the ring.

"When Deep Secret was born, she was really quiet," the Scots PGC year 8 student and cattle club member said.

"Dad didn't like her, so I just took her; I have done all the work with her.

"She was broken in on one day; she's excellent, just like her mum, Mullum Panache."

However, Fletcher maintained that the quality of the heifer won the supreme award, not his skills.

Fletcher said while Deep Secret had won other blue ribbons, the supreme champion award was the perfect final event to retire on.

"She's now officially retired, so it was good for her to win her last show," he said.

"She won grand champion female at the Boonah Show, but this is the first time she won the supreme exhibit at any show.

"Deep Secret will now go out into the paddock and hopefully produce more good bull calves."

Now, Fletcher will switch his competitive focus to Deep Secret's nine-month-old calf V8.

"I'll be showing Cassaglen V8 this weekend at the Clifton Show," he said.

"He's being weaned this week, so it's perfect timing.

"He's a lovely calf."

Fletcher also took out second place in the junior paraders and judges categories.

The judge was Bec Skene, Meldon Park Simmentals, Cecil Plains, and the event attracted 78 entries.

Stud Cattle Results

British ring results

Junior champion female: Yallambi Abigail, Kalara Livestock. Reserve: Kallara Royal Revona, Kalara Livestock.

Grand champion female: Yallambi Abigail, Kalara.

Euro ring results

Junior champion male: Ellendale Redhot Dream Date, Ellendale Red and Black Simmentals. Reserve: Ellendale Subsonic, Ellendale Red and Black Simmentals.

Grand champion male: Ellendale Redhot Dream Date, Ellendale Red and Black Simmentals.

Junior champion female: Ellendale She's Smittend in Red, Ellendale Red and Black Simmentals. Reserve: Double K Unique, Double K Simmentals.

Senior champion female: Cassaglen Deep Secret, Cassaglen Charolais. Reserve: Elendales Who'sCatwalk Queen, Ellendale Red and Black Simmentals.

Grand champion female: Cassaglen Deep Secret, Cassaglen Charolais.

Tropical ring results

Junior champion male: Oaklands Mastermind, NA and MJ Hansen. Reserve: Karrabin Geronimo, HRH Fitting

Senior champion male: Wildcard Knockout, Tim and Prue Flynn. Reserve: Mogul Nebraska, Mogul Brahman

Grand champion male: Wildcard Knockout, Tim and Prue Flynn

Junior champion female: Mogul Miss EJ Michelle, Mogul Brahman. Reserve: Wildcat Lydia, Prue and Tim Flynn

Senior champion female: Smithy's Freya, Smithy's Droughtmasters. Reserve: Smithy's Grange, Smithy's Droughtmasters

Grand champion female: Smithy's Freya, Smithy's Droughtmasters

Interbreed results

Interbreed male: Wildcard Knockout, Tim and Prue Flynn

Interbreed female: Cassglen Deep Secret, Cassaglen Charolais

Supreme beef exhibit of the show: Cassglen Deep Secret, Cassaglen Charolais.