Malanda Show’s dairy officials do an excellent job in encouraging junior members of the dairying fraternity to become involved in the first class of the show, the Children’s Calf Class.  This year there were 14 entrants in the Illawarra section with too many to count in the inter-breed classes.

There are no more eager participants than the family of Greg and Bronwyn English of Eachamvale Stud, Malanda.  All seven children get to take one U12 month old heifer to the show specifically to lead in the calf class.  As the children get older they are more a help than a hindrance to Greg and Bronwyn and this year the children spent a lot of time in the lead up to the show breaking in their heifers.

Unfortunately for Patrick English, his heifer gave him a hard time, getting away completely once.  The children banded together to re-capture the heifer with much effort and so Patrick tried again.  The second time the heifer bolted Patrick hung on with all his considerable weight, getting dragged some distance through the gravel but he wasn’t letting go.  Dad was a bit concerned as Patrick had not long recovered from a broken leg and asked him whether he was scared.  “No Dad’” said Patrick, “I wasn’t scared but I was very very angry.”

The effort was worthwhile though as Patrick took the third ribbon with only big brother Jerry (second) and big sister Rachel (first) beating him in the Illawarra section but winning the inter-breed U7 class.  Rachel won the inter-breed U13 class.

Patrick has certainly learnt that persistence pays off.

Check out all the photos from Malanda Show in the Photo Gallery.

Below:  "Did I do okay boss?" asks Holly the Heifer of a very serious Patrick English