Page 105 - Hereford Magazine 2021

Niamh Barnett from the NZ Herefords team, right, in the show ring.

the overall champion team – it was a bit of a movie moment
where the crowd noise seemed to blur and fade into the
background. We stumbled our way to the front in absolute
disbelief. We had done it. We had taken out the overall spot,
been named the best of the best, and on home soil! There
will never be the right words to describe the feeling. Tears
flowed and hugs were endless. We felt so incredibly proud and
privileged to be able to take home the top prize in front of our
own Hereford family.
We will never be able to thank our supporters enough,
especially our sponsor Boehringer Ingelheim. But the
biggest thanks of all goes to our fellow competitors who
travelled from all over the
“We felt so world to be there. Without
them there wouldn’t have
incredibly proud been a competition, or
and privileged chance to show off our
to be able to take nation or our skills. But
home the top most importantly, we
wouldn’t have had the
prize in front of chance to meet each other
our own Hereford and create friendships that
family.” will now last a lifetime.
After all, for most of us,
NZ Herefords team captain Sam Tipping. that was what the week
was about. Not winning, or taking away a title, but sharing
Emotions were heightened on that final day; after a huge our passion and love for Hereford cattle and creating lifelong
week of intense competition, very little sleep and far too much memories with one another.
alcohol, it was starting to hit everyone that our time together Quite frankly, we refuse to let Covid-19 take the shine off
was nearly over. As we congregated in the marquee on Friday the incredible event that NZ Herefords hosted and organised.
afternoon for the prizegiving, we were all definitely crossing Huge credit must go to NZH, its breeders, sponsors
our fingers for our own team’s victory, but at the same time Boehringer Ingelheim, and the families and other supporters
knowing we would be genuinely happy for all award winners. who made the competition and entire conference possible.
As the prizegiving progressed and we claimed a few ribbons, It will definitely be an event that goes down in the history
we were frantically trying to do some quick maths to work books; not because of Covid-19, but because of the quality
out who the overall champion team would be. We genuinely cattle, insightful learnings, incredible people, great food,
couldn’t work it out as it seemed to be a very close split unique scenery, new friendships, and everlasting memories
between us and the Aussies. When our names were called for that we will look back on for a very long time.

Year 2021 HEREFORD MAGAZINE 103
World Hereford
Conference 2020
Queenstown NZ