Canberra Royal 2025: Dexter breed judging results

It was an emotional win for a young breeder in the Dexter ring at Canberra Royal, taking out supreme exhibit after starting her stud two years ago.

Carragheen Red Poppy, exhibited by Mijota Park Dexters, Kingsvale, claimed the title under the eye of judge Geordie Elliot, GC Livestock Black Simmentals, Hamilton, Victoria.

The four-year-old cow with bull calf at foot, sired by Carragheen L'egoiste and out of Carragheen Japonica, claimed senior champion and grand champion female before rising to supreme.

Tayla Gallo, 19, was overwhelmed after taking out the title, having started her own Dexter stud at age 17 with one cow.

Her mother Michelle said Tayla started showing and had been doing "an amazing job", since expanding the stud and importing semen, now with three breeders.

Ms Gallo said the supreme cow was "the epitome of the breed".

Mr Elliot said Red Poppy was a "little workhouse of a cow".

"She's doing a hell of a job keeping up with that little bull calf she's got," he said.

"All those fundamental maternal traits - she's got the correctness that you'd want to find in any other breed.

"She's a tremendous cow - I really do appreciate the fundamentals in her."

In her class Mr Elliot said it was her elevation and scope in front, strong spine and clean udder that put her on top.

"The proof is in the pudding with that calf," he said.

Carragheen Red Poppy claimed the supreme ribbon over the senior and grand champion bull Carragheen Serendipity, exhibited by Louise Ball and Don Hearne, Cootamundra.

The three-year-old Dexter bull, 584kg, was sired by Carragheen L'egoiste and out of Copper Head Mistletoe.

Mr Elliot said the grand champion bull was a "very worthy winner".

"[He is] a great example of the Dexter breed with really good feet and legs," he said.

"A bull that encompasses everything."

The junior champion bull was awarded to Carragheen The Untouchables, 309kg, exhibited by Louise Ball and Don Hearne.

The 16-month-old bull, sired by Carragheen Serendipity and out of Carragheen Roisin, was described by Mr Elliot to be a really good bull with "a good barrel and good width".

Mr Elliot said it was his maturity and growth curve that got him on top of the reserve junior champion bull Carragheen Valentino, 248kg, also exhibited by Louise Ball and Don Hearne.

The 10-month-old bull, sired by Carragheen Tobias and out of Carragheen Miss Muffet, was described by Mr Elliot as a "good allround calf" with everything correct.

In the female classes the junior champion was awarded to Mijota Park Utopia, exhibited by Mijota Park Dexters.

Mr Elliot described the 14-month-old heifer, sired by Billabong Smartie and out of Carragheen Red Poppy, as a "very stylish, elegant heifer".

"An overall complete package," he said.

Utopia claimed the junior champion title over the reserve Carragheen Up'N'Coming, exhibited by Louise Ball and Don Hearne.

The 14-month-old heifer, sired by Carragheen Serendipity and out of Carragheen Sassika, was described by Mr Elliot to be a "good package with a feminine head".

He said it was her overall barrel, capacity and coverage, along with more meat through the twist, that put her on top during her class.

The reserve senior champion female was awarded to Carragheen Tatiana, exhibited by Mijota Park Dexters.

The two-and-a-half-year-old female was sired by Bircham Ballantyne and out of Carragheen Red Poppy.

Judge: Geordie Elliot, GC Livestock Black Simmentals, Hamilton, Vic

Junior champion bull: Carragheen The Untouchables, exhibited by Louise Ball and Don Hearne, Cootamundra.

Reserve junior champion bull: Carragheen Valentino, exhibited by Louise Ball and Don Hearne, Cootamundra.

Junior champion female: Mijota Park Utopia, exhibited by Mijota Park Dexters, Kingsvale.

Reserve junior champion female: Carragheen Up'N'Coming, exhibited by Louise Ball and Don Hearne, Cootamundra.

Senior champion bull: Carragheen Serendipity, exhibited by Louise Ball and Don Hearne, Cootamundra.

Senior champion female: Carragheen Red Poppy, exhibited by Mijota Park Dexters, Kingsvale.

Reserve senior champion female: Carragheen Tatiana, exhibited by Mijota Park Dexters, Kingsvale.

Grand champion bull: Carragheen Serendipity, exhibited by Louise Ball and Don Hearne, Cootamundra.

Grand champion female: Carragheen Red Poppy, exhibited by Mijota Park Dexters, Kingsvale.

Supreme exhibit: Carragheen Red Poppy, exhibited by Mijota Park Dexters, Kingsvale.

• Full results in next week's The Land newspaper.