Perth Royal Show: Squiers and Blight families share Governor’s Cup accolade after tallying up the most points

The Perth Royal Show’s Governor’s Cup presentations brought a double handshake from WA Governor Chris Dawson when he congratulated dual winners the Blight family, of Lower Chittering, and the Squires family, of Quairading. The two famous farming families were both repeat Governor’s Cup winners and shared in the prestigious award at the formal announcement presentation on September 30 at the show’s main arena in front of a large crowd. The hotly-contested Governor’s Cup is awarded each year to the exhibitor with the most points in livestock exhibits covering sheep, cattle, horses, goats and alpacas. It was the second time the Blight family’s Dandalee goat stud in Lower Chittering had taken out the title, after winning in 2021. They are continuing a long and proud tradition at the show with numerous awards won in the dairy goat livestock section. Dandalee dairy goat stud co-principal Trevor Blight said he accepted the award on behalf of his mother, Shirlee Blight, who he still runs the farm with. “I am accepting this on behalf of my mother — it’s a great honour to compete here for so many years, this is a special award,” he said. Fellow Governor’s Cup winners Chris, Faye, Adrian, Kylie, Sascha and Kelsie Squiers of Shirlee Downs and Dongadilling studs, at Quairading, received their 11th Governor’s Cup this year. They brought their prized Poll Dorsets, White Suffolks and Prime SAMMS to the sheep judging competition, winning 10 broad ribbons for their efforts. “We really appreciate this honour and everyone’s support for agriculture,” Sascha said. The Squiers have been standalone Governor’s Cup winners previously, but fewer competition levels in the Prime SAMM sheep judging resulted in a lower point tally for the outright win this year. WA Governor Chris Dawson was in attendance along with the Royal Agricultural Society of WA president John Snowball. Mr Snowball said the quality of entrants this year was another example of the high standard of agriculture at the Perth Royal Show. “From what I have seen this year, our animals are as good as any found in Australia,” he said. “It’s very important for the show to have these animals here. “Since 1896, the Governor’s Cup showcases the best of its livestock competitions — they are at the heart and soul of a Royal Show and bring the country to the city.”