Canberra Royal 2025: Poll Dorset double achieved after changing of guard

Out of a competitive Poll Dorset contest, fifth-generation sheep breeders and recent stud principals Sam and Maddy Armstrong have claimed both champion ram and champion ewe.

The Armstrongs took on the ownership of the nearly 90-year-old Armdale stud two years ago, from Sam's grandparents, and have been working to make it their own

Mr Armstrong said this was the first time he had claimed both champions.

The champion ram, Armdale 240098, is an April-drop, which had already claimed the interbreed win at the Gundagai Show from the milk-tooth class.

Judge Brayden Gilmore said the ram caught his eye in an "impressive line up of rams for champion".

He praised the moderate frame.

"I think the industry needs more rams like this," he said.

Reserve champion went to another young ram, this time from the bare-shorn class, shown by Ashcharmoo, Marulan.

Mr Brayden said this ram had a good top line.

Champion ewe, Armdale 240071, also an April-drop and a half-sister to the champion ram, both sired by AP220200.

Mr Brayden said the ewe was "outstanding".

"She's very hard to fault," he said.

"I can't go past this ewe, she will represent the Poll Dorset breed very well in the interbreed."

Reserve champion ewe went to an Armdale ewe.

"I like the depth and I like the twist," Mr Brayden said of the reserve champion.

In selecting a supreme winner, Mr Brayden said the ram and ewe were of a similar type.

His choice went to the ram, saying it would be a good influence on the breed.

"The ram is hard to go past - structure, powerful with a good wool type," he said.

Mr Armstrong said they would be keeping both animals in the stud.

They have already collected semen from the ram and were considering using the ewe in their embryo transfer program.

Mr Armstrong said it was great to have this success, with it coming this year as the stud marked 50 years of on-property sales.