Patrick Ryan of ‘Meriden Limousin Stud’ in Merriwa was delighted to take out the best bull over 24 and not over 30 months class with ‘Meriden Poll Jack Flash.’

“It was good to win against such a strong class.

“He was also the top priced bull at the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) All Breeds Sale, so it was definitely a good show for us. 

It was also a great show for Mr Ryan’s stud groom 17-year-old Travis Sutton from Merriwa Central School.

“Travis had an absolute cracker of a show placing first in his heat of the heifer fitting challenge and going on to place sixth out of 80 in the final, fourth in the junior judging and second in his junior handler.

“It was a huge effort and we are very proud of his                     achievements,” he said. 

Ken MacCallum of  ‘Mandalea’, Scone won first place with his skirted fleece in the fine Merino or ewe sheep section this year while the Allison-Woods family of Murrurundi bought home a swag of ribbons in the harness classes. 

“I have been showing at the Sydney Royal since 1962 and my wife Robin since 1965,”  Ashleigh Allison-Woods said.

“Last year the RAS awarded us the with a 35 Years Exhibitors award.

“We love the royal because we are passionate about showing horses and harness vehicles.”

In what was a real ‘family affair’ with son Clinton also helping out as ‘carriage detailer’, the Allison-Woods family took out the authentic period turnout class and came second in the hackney buggy pony turnout and hackney pony mare or filly class. 

No stranger to blue ribbons, the Kelly boys from Scone were triumphant once more in the equestrian events. 

Brendan Kelly won the open boy rider 12 and under 15 years and was reserve champion boy rider overall while brother Tyler took home the General Cariappa Perpetual trophy for the junior champion boy rider. 

Tyler also won champion boy rider and open boy rider in the nine and under 12 class. 

Local rodeo champion Heath Nichols was equally impressive in the Sydney Royal Rodeo Series Teams Challenge coming second in the first round and winning the steer wrestling in the second round last week. 

But perhaps it is the remarkable achievement of one unassuming octogenarian poultry exhibitor, Warwick Watson of Scone that ‘takes the cake’. 

This was Mr Watson’s 70th year of exhibiting at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. 

“Actually, I think it’s 70 years, could be a bit more.

“I first went to the royal with my father who was also a keen poultry exhibitor,” he said. 

“We didn’t go for a few years during the Second World War because the show was closed and the grounds were filled up with troops. 

“In 1946 I started showing myself and have been showing there ever since. 

 “I think it is regarded by people everywhere as the              ultimate prize to win.”

Mr Watson took out six firsts and one second (to his son, also a keen poultry exhibitor) from seven entries in the Old English Game section, winning the prestigious best bantam of the show for his Old English Game blue red partridge dark leg male bird. 

“The royal isn’t the best time of year to show poultry as it’s hard to get them into proper feather,” Mr Watson said. 

“I quite like the challenge though.”

Mr Watson became an RAS councillor in 1974, a position he held for 30 years and is now proud to say he is an ‘honorary’ retired RAS councillor. 

“It is the premier show in Australia, no other royal can equal it,” he said. 

“That’s why I like to compete in it every year, and I’ve still got a few more left in me yet.”