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Organisers are preparing for a cracking Bromar NSW Dorset Championship this year, with more than 300 entries expected for the popular show.
The event, which will be held at the Cowra Showground on June 15 and 16, will include around 280 sheep from 26 Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset studs across NSW and Victoria.
This includes 20 Dorset Horn entries from four studs.
The sheep will be judged by Julian Iles, from Killara stud, Sorell, Tasmania.
Roger Traves, who has been chief steward at the show for the past three years, said entry numbers had increased this year, which was very encouraging, considering the dry conditions across the state.
There are also a number of new studs showing this year, as well as some returning after a break from the event.
“For some studs, this is their first show for the year, and for others it is their first time showing at Cowra ever,” Mr Traves said.
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A new feature of the show this year is the school section, with two schools already committing to the event.
“We have seen plenty of interest shown, and we think this section will develop in the future,” Mr Traves said.
This year’s event will also have more junior classes, allowing there to be an intermediate champion and reserve awarded.
This is also the first time the championships in Cowra will be livestreamed.
“It gives people a chance to see the judging and keep up with results,” he said.
Mr Traves said there had been a lot of support from both major sponsors and donors.
He said having good prizes helped encourage participation.
“It draws people in. I think it helps,” he said.
The Dorset Horn rams and ewes will be judged on Friday morning from 8.30am, followed by the Poll Dorset rams.
The Breeders’ Dinner will also be held on Friday night.
The Poll Dorset ewes, groups and supreme will be judged on Saturday.
The show is also known for its family friendly atmosphere.
“We think the competition is going to be fairly keen, but it is always friendly,” he said.
“This is the premier Dorset show in NSW. It is about highlighting the breed, and also encouraging younger breeders and new studs.”
At last year’s championships, an impressive 14-month-old Poll Dorset ram exhibited by the Rowley family, Springwaters stud, Boorowa, took out the coveted supreme exhibit title.
Springwaters 66-16, or ‘Pocock’, as he was more fondly known, was also named supreme prime lamb exhibit of the Sydney Royal last year.
And a prelude to that, Pocock won the champion ram lamb at the Australasian Championships, Bendigo, in 2016 as a five month-old.