Come the weekend of August 27th, local Highland Cattle Breeders, Neil Spearritt and Chris Parham (pictured right) of Kersbrook’s ‘Gathbodhan Highlands’, will lock horns and fight it out with Australia best for the title of Supreme Highland Exhibit.

This year the Australian Highland Cattle Society will be holding its annual national show, which has always traditionally been a Victorian event, here in South Australia.

The local breeders have rallied and secured the event for SA and for the first time, from across the borders, a contingent of breeders and their animals will travel to Gawler to parade and tout the very best of and about the breed.

Last year, ‘Gathbodhan Highlands’ were the ones to travel, and headed of to the Elmore Beef Expo to come home with the title of National Grand Champion Highland Female.

So, together with well known local stud groom, Rebecca Hehir, the boys have been busy preparing the best of their animals to prove to Australia that SA and its breeders are not just ‘one hit wonders’ and that the lush green pastures of the Adelaide Hills are the ideal breeding grounds for Champions!

Currently, their herd sire, Chester Dohnn Laird (the dark Lord), has been back-to-back Grand Champion Highland Bull at the Royal Adelaide, and when last year they came away with both Junior Champions, Senior Champion Bull, Grand Champion Bull, Supreme Exhibit, Breeders Group and Sires Progeny; it was par for the course to be titled ’Most Successful Highland Exhibitor’
“Without doubt the quality of animals presented at a National level are something most can only strive to achieve, but after coming home last year after been shown respect by our peers at the quality of animal produced, we are at the very least going to walk away with heads held high, and the knowledge that we have given it our best”, Chris said.

“Fingers crossed!!”, he added.

The National Show itself is being held in conjunction with the Gawler Show’s 150th Celebrations, and all are welcome to join in and support the SA Breeders.

Further information can be obtained from the show manager, Neil Spearritt (spearritt@gathbodhan.com.au) or direct from the website www.highlandcattle.org.au.