BEST FRIENDS: Cudal’s Marie Barnes shares a special bond with two-year-old boer goat Oheo. The two will be out for more success at the Sydney Royal Easter Show after dominating last year. Photo: LUKE SCHUYLER 0313lsgoat
Since then the third generation goat breeder has grown up attending the show and rates it the most important time of the year, every year.
“I absolutely love it. Massive family tradition, I think I’m the third generation to participate at the Sydney show,” she said.
“I’ve still got my dad’s ribbons from the 1950s. It was always a special show for my family and I think that has probably been passed through to me genetically.
“I’ve done every single Sydney Show that has had a boer goat category since they’ve been in competition.”
And unbelievably, Marie’s stud farm Micathel has managed to win at least one ribbon each year since the category was introduced in 1997.
But nothing could prepare her for last year, when Micathel Stud was undoubtedly the star of the show.
“Our first broad ribbon in the boer goats was in 1992. Last year I took 16 animals and I got five firsts, eight seconds, three thirds, two fourths, one fifth, one highly commended reserve junior champion doe, reserve junior champion buck, senior champion doe, grand champion doe and best boer goat at show,” she said.
Marie said it was undeniably the most successful Sydney Show she had ever taken part in.
It has also led to more riches in the lead up to this year’s show, with Marie’s goats chosen to take part in the parade of champions, the show’s highest honour.
She said only one stand-out performer was selected to take part in the parade each year to showcase excellence in agriculture.
“It doesn’t happen very often, so I was very very happy to be nominated and it was a bit surprising at first,” she said.
“I think it’s a combination of things, someone who does consistently well year after year, but also somebody who has been involved in the show at a lot of different levels over a long period of time.”
Marie said Micathel Stud was taking more than 20 goats to this year’s show.
While she admits it will be difficult to reach the dizzying heights of last year’s success, she is excited all the same.
“Sydney show is the pinnacle,” she said.
“Regardless of all other shows, Sydney is the one I want to win, just because of the prestige and the history and everything else.
luke.schuyler@fairfaxmedia.com.au