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performed or events they have won.

Damien has scored his fair share of victories, resulting in him often being the last to start and always giving valuable time head starts to opponents. When asked about playing catch up to other competitors, and what sort of challenge that encountered, he replied, “it makes you cut properly, you don’t muck about,” he said laughing.

Age and gender are not barriers in the sport, the women’s event and that of older people are just as exciting to watch. Asked how long he will compete, Damien said he could see his longevity in the sport and will be around for many more years.

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“They have veterans’ events for people over 50, over 60’s ages.”

The local country shows are a build up for the more serious axemen to then proceed to the royal shows, including Canberra and Sydney. Damien has contested in Sydney numerous times at the Royal Easter Show. When asked how he performed, he commented, “not too bad, as a younger man”.

When you watch the woodchopping at your local show this year, consider the e ort and skill that is required to excel at the sport and keep an eye out for Damien. He may be the one starting last but may well be the one finishing first.

Cattle Judging

Check your country show program and be sure to watch the cattle judging where you will see the best breeds parading in an always tightly contested arena.

A noticeable di erence you may observe is the highland cattle breed, who certainly stand out when competing against the more traditional hereford and angus breeds of cattle.

Jacqui and Jon Percy from Avonside near Jindabyne breed highland cattle, which is a Scottish breed of rustic cattle, very distinctive in their appearance with their long horns and shaggy coat.

“We thought that the highland cattle were an attractive looking cow with so many benefits, particularly for this climate we live in,” said Jacqui.

The Percy’s breed them not only for themselves but for other breeders and for people who want to own the cattle for their own pets. They are a very intelligent animal and easy to train, with Jacqui stating, “They make amazing pets”.

Their cattle are registered purebred with fully imported bloodlines, and the quiet temperament make the cattle easy to handle.

Each year they show their highland cattle by attending both the Cooma and Dalgety shows, plus the Canberra Royal Show. As with traditional cattle they are halter trained. Jacqui saying they spend time with the animals, so they’ll walk beside when parading and perform as they want them to perform at the shows.

“We make an e ort to try and get to both those two local shows and then some years we try and go to other ones as well,” said Jacqui.

“We’ve always been awarded a ribbon or two which is quite di cult considering you’re up against hereford and angus. So you really need to take your best animals if you’re going to go up against a stock that is twice the size.” The larger hereford and angus are classed as large beef breed, and the highland as medium to large beef breed.

Commenting on their results from the

Country Show Dates

Support the local shows this year by visiting for a great day out.

Nimmitabel Show

Saturday 4th February

Delegate Show

Saturday 4th March

Tumut Show

Saturday 4th March

Dalgety Show

Sunday 5th March

Adelong Show

Saturday 11th March

Cooma Show

Saturday 11th March

Bombala Show

Saturday 18th March

Tumbarumba Show

Saturday 18th March

Batlow Show

Saturday 25th March

Canberra show, Jacqui said, “the last two years we have been very surprised but extremely thrilled we’ve taken out grand champion female in the highland cattle breed.”

This year they also have their sights set on the 2023 Australian Highland Cattle Society Inc National Show at Junee in NSW. They have a goal to win at this prestigious show scheduled for June this year.