IN an epic achievement in the Merino section the Merriman family’s Merryville stud, Boorowa, took out its 27th Stonehaven Cup group win.
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That calculates Merryville winning 33 per cent of trophies in the 82 competitions since 1935 when the cup was donated by Lord Stonehaven.
This year the team of five March shorn sheep – three rams and two ewes, were fine wools of impressive pedigrees and show achievements and stood up to challenges from 14 other groups.
Leading the group was the 19.5 micron son of Merryville EM Supreme (of the 2010 “Royal”) which was supreme exhibit of this year’s Canberra Great Southern Supreme Merino (GSSM) show after taking out March shorn fine wool championship.
His GSSM award was due, according to one judge, Andy Maclean, Haddon Rig stud, Warren, as an exceptional ram with “great” belly wool, length of staple and general outlook.
Merryville’s second ram was also a son of EM Supreme growing 19.2 micron wool. The third ram at 17.7 micron was sired by Merryville Brilliant Example, while the two ewes were by Merryville Grand Monarch 44, the 2013 Sydney Royal supreme ram.
Second prize went to a team from the Davis family’s Demondrille stud, Harden, while Nerstane stud, Woolbrook, of the McLaren family, was awarded third place.
Nerstane won the cup last year with Merryville the runner-up.
Backing up from their win last year in the August shorn Bruce Merriman Memorial trophy class, the Cox family’s Langdene stud, Dunedoo, not only won this year’s competition, but was also placed second.
Nerstane stud in third position from a total entry of 17 teams.
Another stud to take out a winning prize was Malcolm Cox and family’s Bocoble Poll stud, Mudgee, who won the Otway Falkiner Cup for the best group of five Poll Merinos for the second successive year, this year with superfine sheep.
The award was a prelude to the Cox family’s successful exhibition including the grand champion Poll Merino ram, the second ram in this group.
Mr Cox held the first ram growing 18.9 micron wool while daughter, Bec held the second, a 17 micron which was reserve grand champion Poll Merino ram at the GSSM show.
Third ram held by Hayden Cox, was a 16.3 micron which was supreme champion at this year’s Armidale Ram Show and Sale.
The two ewes included the 17.8 champion superfine Poll Merino ewe of the GSSM and the other a first showing with 16.9 micron wool.
Merryville Poll stud was placed second with Alfoxton Poll stud, Armidale, third.
