When the judge slapped their Angus cow on the rump, Rob and Gail Hamilton knew their moment of glory had finally arrived after six attempts at the supreme championship at the Calgary Stampede.
“We’ve had a number of champions but never in Calgary,” said Gail.
“When you’ve been in there enough times, you hope it will be your turn.”
The Hamiltons, owners of Hamilton Farms of Calgary, are experienced at showing and have competed in events all over Western Canada.
The Stampede win came with a $10,000 cheque and an automatic entry in the supreme champion competition at Agribition, Nov. 26 in Regina.
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The Hamiltons won that show in 1999 and hope to repeat this year.
The supreme champion bull, an Angus, was shown by Dawn Miller and Lee Wilson of Bashaw, Alta., who earned the $10,000.
Miller and Wilson have shown supreme champions four times now. Last year they showed the supreme champion female at Calgary.
This year, 19 beef breeds competed for the supreme championship title at the Stampede. Each competing animal was named grand champion in its own breed show.
For the grand finale, seven judges eyed the prime bulls and females from every angle to select the best of the best.
A special heifer show was also held this year with entrants from 17 breeds. Hansons Ranches of Airdrie, Alta., won the competition with an Angus heifer born in 1999. They received $3,000.
The steer classic show went to Double R Livestock and Roy Saroka of Bashaw. They won $9,000 for the Limousin bred entry.
The reserve champion went to Kelly Robertson of Neepawa, Man. He won $4,000 for his Simmental entry.
The largest steer show to date, more than $50,000 in prize money was available to 134 entrants.
The Stampede also holds a number of sheep shows. This year’s market lamb competition went to Meghan Holowath of Airdrie. She took home $1,000 in prize money for a 111-pound grand champion lamb.
For further results of the 45 stock shows, check the website at www.stampedeagriculture.com.
