Judges unanimous that Kamballie ram the king

Kamballie's 154kg strong wool ram was "every inch a supreme".

Those were the words of New South Wales judge Kim Henderson, of Grogansworth stud via Yass, after Shayne Mackin's magnificent grand champion Merino ram was sashed as the supreme exhibit at Wagin Woolorama last Friday.

His praise followed the comments of judge Richard House, of WA's Barloo stud, after the trio of judges named the 4-tooth entry as the grand champion Merino ram.

In reserve was the Sprigg family's East Strathglen ram.

"It was a unanimous decision on the champion," Mr House said. "He is a free, open and robust strong wool ram with purity of beautiful-crimping bright wool carried right down underneath."

It was a tremendous day for Kamballie stud principal Shayne Mackin, being the first Woolorama supreme title for the Tammin stud and in only the second time exhibiting in the open classes.

Kamballie has won the champion ram broad ribbon twice in the small breeders' ring which augured well for yesterday's triumph.

The ram - called Scofield - is by Woodyarrup Lionel bought in partnership with the Cardiff stud about four years ago.

Scofield's mother is by Barloo 76 in another shared buy, this time with Perenjori stud Arra-dale.

It's unusual for a supreme exhibit to come from this far north. Over the years they've usually come from the Great Southern.

"My son Curt named him Scofield after the character in Prison Break - he's escaped a couple of times," Shayne Mackin said.

It was a double whammy for Kamballie.

The Mackins' junior ram, also sired by Woodyarrup Lionel, won the 2-tooth championship.

"It is a fantastic class of young rams and the strong wool ram was chosen because of his big, upstanding outlook, good wool and underline, good body size and structure," said judge Karen Huskisson, of Wattle Downs stud via The Gums, Queensland.

Both the grand champion Merino ewe and her reserve came from East Strathglen in what was a superb show for Rowland and Rohan Sprigg who took 16 broad ribbons home to Tambellup.

Both full sisters, the ewes were sired by Top Gun and thus placed in their early class, the medium wool 2-tooth.

"For a 2-tooth ewe she is beautifully framed and carries superb quality medium wool throughout and is very square," judge Kim Henderson said.

For the first time Woolorama this year included fine-medium wool classes and the champion Merino ram here was from East Strathglen (also sired by Top Gun) with Woolkabin in reserve.

"He's a standout long-bodied ram and well-covered with pure white wool," judge Richard House said.

The champion fine-medium wool ewe and her reserve were both from East Strathglen.

The champion fine wool Merino ram (Franklin-sired) was from the Norrish family's Angenup stud with the Rintoul family's Auburn Valley ram in reserve.

"He has massive scale for a 2-tooth and great length of staple in the wool," said judge Huskisson, of the Angenup ram.

Tilba Tilba took out the fine wool Merino ewe championship with the King family's Rangeview ewe in reserve.

"All were exceptional fine wool ewes and I was impressed by the winner's staple length," the judge said.

The champion medium wool ram came from East Strathglen with the Scanlon family's Quailerup West ram in reserve. The medium wool champion ewe (later grand champion Merino ewe) and her reserve were both from East Strathglen.

The champion strong wool Merino ram was Woolorama's supreme exhibit from Kamballie and in reserve for the championship was the Ledwith family's Kolindale ram.

The strong wool ewe champion was from East Strathglen with the McLagan family's Eungai ewe in reserve.

Both superfine ram and ewe champions were from Russell and Heather Meaton's Misty Hills stud at Kojonup. Both are by Misty Hills 1187.

"He is an absolutely superb ram - a true superfine ram to his toes," judge Huskisson said.

He is a free, open and robust strong wool ram with purity of beautiful-crimping bright wool carried right down underneath.

JUDGE RICHARD HOUSE