08/10/2026
I think itβs time we had a conversation about sportsmanship, supporting each other and the culture we want within our agricultural industry.
I don't write this on behalf of any breed group or stud - I speak for no-one other than myself.
Deep breath π«....
Iβve been really disappointed by some of the lack of sportsmanship Iβve witnessed and heard around the cattle sheds/shows this year.
This isnβt about one result, one breed or one person. Iβve heard similar stories from exhibitors, spectators and breeders across the spectrum.
It is not fair, kind or constructive to say the judge is playing favourites.
That the judge is biased.
That the judge is judging the handler and not the animal.
That a smaller stud doesn't deserve the credit for a win because it's "easier" for them.
That someone only won because of who they are, who they know, where they come from, or some other conspiracy that makes it easier to explain a result you don't agree with.
That's all bu****it.
The judges appointed to these positions at Royal Shows are experienced cattle people who have been selected because they have the knowledge and ability to assess cattle.
And hereβs the uncomfortable part:
Sometimes the judge sees something you don't.
We all have blinkers on when it comes to our own cattle. We love them. We bred them. We raised them. Weβve spent countless hours feeding, training, washing, clipping and preparing them.
Every animal has faults. Every animal has strengths.
And sometimes the difference between winning and not winning can come down to structure, balance, movement, finish, preparation, presentation or simply what the judge values on that particular day.
That's showing cattle.
You don't have to agree with the judge.
You don't have to like the result.
But you should be able to accept it with some resemblance of grace and congratulate the person who won.
Because here's another thing we seem to forget:
There is a person on the end of every halter.
Someone who has probably spent months β sometimes years β breeding, feeding, training and preparing that animal.
Someone who might have sacrificed weekends, family time, money and sleep to get there.
Someone who might be standing in that ring having the best day of their showing career.
You don't have to take that away from them because you think your animal should have won.
And this isn't just about the show ring..Our industry is hard enough as it is.
We have changing legislation, increasing regulation, climate challenges, rising costs, market pressures and a whole heap of uncertainty to navigate.
We need each other.
We need good breeders.
We need good exhibitors.
We need people investing in genetics.
We need young people coming through.
We need people prepared to have a go.
And we need people who are willing to share knowledge, lend a hand and celebrate someone else's success.
When I started showing cattle nearly 20 years ago, I remember an incredible amount of support from people who were happy to help, teach, give advice and genuinely see you succeed.
Somewhere along the way, it feels like we've started confusing someone else's success with our own failure. And I don't think that's healthy.
The more someone invests in improving their cattle, their breeding program, their preparation, their presentation, their knowledge or their business, the better our industry becomes as a whole.
Someone else getting better doesn't make you worse. And someone else winning doesn't mean you have failed.
If anything, use it as an opportunity to look at their animal and ask:
- What did the judge see?
- What can I learn from that?
- What can I do better next time?
- What genetics is that exhibitor using that could help my program?
That's how we improve.
Tall poppy syndrome isn't uniquely Australian, but it certainly seems to have found a comfortable home here.
And trying to discredit someone because they're doing well isn't sportsmanship.
It isn't constructive criticism. It's downright bloody rude.
And quite frankly, it isn't good for our industry.
So this is my gentle-but-not-so-gentle reminder:
Be kind. Be gracious. Be supportive.
Congratulate the winner. Learn from the result.
Have a b**r afterwards and complain to your mates if you really need to π β we've all done it. But don't stand around the shed, around the ring or online trying to tear someone else down because you didn't get the result you wanted.
We can be proud of our own cattle while still being genuinely happy for someone else's success.
If this rings true to you, then pull your head in. Have some perspective. Show a bit of bloody sportsmanship.
We're all supposed to be in this together. β€οΈ
The end.
