Australia covers a large area of land, and to be named best in Australia is an outstanding achievement.
At the Royal Adelaide Show earlier this year, 30 August to 7 September, Year 12 Murgon S.H.S. student Kaitlyn Barber, competed in the National Finals Beef Cattle Paraders on 4 September, representing Queensland.
Of the finalists, all representing a state or territory, Kaitlyn placed third, which is an amazing accomplishment.
“Being third in Australia definitely feels a bit surreal,” Kaitlyn said. “I am very grateful and proud of how far I have come. I feel very accomplished in this achievement I have achieved and cannot be happier.”
Kaitlyn said she felt the competition saw many, very competitive people from all over Australia attend, which pushed her to do better.
“My highlight of competing was having the opportunity to compete with people around my age that are from all over Australia and being able to meet new people in the cattle industry,” she said. “I feel like competing with others is a great opportunity as you get to learn new things about how other people lead and what other judges are looking for.”
The State finals in Queensland was harder than the National finals, was how Kaitlyn felt.
She explained that the Nationals was a hard competition but she felt more relaxed than when she competed in State finals in 2024.
In Queensland, Kaitlyn said she had to lead under the sky, rain, hail or shine, whereas at Nationals, she showed under a big tent for everything.
“It was a bit of a different situation and was a great experience,” she said.
To add to her list of recent accomplishments, Kaitlyn recently won the Overall Champion Leader at the school Hoof and Hook competition.
Her next steps in her cattle showing career, Kaitlyn would love to one day start her own stud in the future and show her own cattle.
Before then, she’s happy to continue to help the younger generation thrive, and wants to help the kids do the best, as she loves to see the younger kids coming through the cattle showing circuit.
As a Year 12 student, Kaitlyn’s plans for after school include attending university to study a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) and to continue showing cattle and running the family farm.
“I am very passionate about the cattle industry, and I would love to pass my knowledge on to the younger kids that are coming up,” she said.
Kaitlyn would like to thank everyone that has supported her on this journey.
“There are way too many people to name, but I do really appreciate you all,” Kaitlyn said. “I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the critics and the feedback I have received over the last five years.”
Her message to those looking to enter the cattle showing industry, “just remember, if you don’t win a ribbon don’t be upset, ask around and see what you can do to improve and continue to strive for the top, but also have fun.”
