'Cracking ewe' claims supreme sash at the NSW Dorset Championships
A "hard to fault" ewe claimed the supreme title at the NSW Dorset Championships held at Cowra on Saturday.
Sam and Maddy Armstrong from Armdale Poll Dorsets, Marrar, took out the championship with their ewe, Armdale 67.
Under the eye of judge Dane Rowley, Springwaters Poll Dorset stud, Boorowa, the ewe was awarded supreme ahead of the grand champion ram Cranbrook 14, exhibited by Cranbrook Poll Dorset stud, Canowindra, and the Dorset Horn champions.
Mr Armstrong, a fifth-generation stud breeder, said the ewe, sired by AP220200, was very correct.
"She's packed full of meat which is industry relevant," he said.
"She doesn't put a foot wrong and stands up well."
Mr Armstrong said the supreme ewe, who was the reserve champion at Gundagai, would be shown at Bendigo and the Australiasian Dorset Championships, before being retained for stud use.
He said she was a very true to type Poll Dorset ewe, which was what they aimed to breed in the stud.
The Armstrongs purchased 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 they joined 500 ewes this year and will also mark the stud's 50th on-property sale.
Armdale also claimed the most successful exhibitor and highest strike rate for the championships.
Judge Mr Rowley, said she was a "cracking ewe".
"She has so much power but still so balanced and feminine," he said.
"She has so much bone and type but still so stylish to go with it."
On the way to supreme, the Armdale ewe first claimed grand champion ewe ahead of the reserve Hillden 530, exhibited by Hillden Poll Dorset stud, Bannister.
James Frost, Hillden, said the ewe was out of Hillden 181-18, who was the supreme exhibit at the NSW Dorset Championships in 2019.
Mr Frost said he admired the ewe for her overall correctness and type.
"She's really strong for a ewe but still got a lot of femininity," he said.
Mr Frost said the ewe would now be retained in the stud.
Mr Rowley said the reserve champion had power and strength, along with good bone and type.
"She's got a beautiful head on her," he said.
In the group classes the NSW mixed pair of the year was awarded to Cranbrook, Canowindra, while Hillden, Bannister, claimed the group of one ram and two years.
Valley Vista, Coolac, was awarded group of three rams and sires progeny.
