Fleece Breeds WHERE: 7NEWS Community Pavilion, Large Animal Pavilion (second floor) and Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion The Fleece Breeds competitions continue to shine a spotlight on Queensland’s fleece, wool and sheep industries, with 163+ entries. In the Wool competition, judges will critique fleece for weight, fineness, length consistency, colour, lustre, and feel. Wool judging takes place in the Agricultural Education Hall on Thursday 6 August at 1pm and Ekka visitors can admire the prize-winning fleeces on display throughout the nine-day Show. The Sheep Competition runs from Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 August in the Large Animal Pavilion, featuring the much-loved school competition classes on Friday 14 August at 8am and culminating in the prestigious Champion of Champions judging on Saturday 15 August at 11:30am. Prime Lambs supported by Carey Bros Abattoir will be judged off-site at Carey Bros Abattoir on Thursday 6 August, with the awards presentation and carcass auction taking place in the Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion on Saturday 8 August from 11am. Award-winning carcasses will be displayed for public viewing in the pavilion on Saturday 8 August from 9am. William Roberts (RNA Councillor in Charge) T 0428 722 535 Flower and Garden WHERE: Agricultural Education Hall The Flower and Garden competitions is set to bloom brighter than ever with more than 112+ entries showcasing creativity, colour and community spirit. This year’s Floristry Competition supported by Marsh celebrates the Ekka’s 150th anniversary across all five classes. In Class 1 entrants are invited to create a dried and preserved floral arrangement that reflects any era of Ekka, while entrants in Class 2 will submit a florist’s choice arrangement that reflects “the evolution of Ekka. The fun continues with the revamped Beards, Mo’s and Big Hats class, where entrants will celebrate the colourful characters and country spirit that have shaped Ekka over the decades by decorating real beards, moustaches, and hats in front of a live audience on Wednesday 12 August at 12.30pm, with the final looks on display in the Grand Parade. Hosted by ABC’s Gardening Australia star Costa Georgiadis, this high-energy competition will see blooms take centre stage in the most unexpected way. The Horticultural Display competition will once again transform the precinct into a lush paradise, with stunning garden installations from clubs, associations and community groups on display during the nine days of Show. The precinct will also host three popular school competitions supported by Brunnings. Little Sprouts invites Prep to Year 1 students to grow their own biodegradable Ekka- pillar grass caterpillar, while the School Garden Competition sees students from Prep to Year 6 create their own mini farms - complete with pretend crops, farm machinery, farmers and
animals. This year’s School Scarecrow Competition includes a new digital class for rural schools (more than 120km from the Brisbane CBD) and celebrates the imaginative world of Scarecrow Outlaws and Garden Guardians. Drawing inspiration from the whimsical and mysterious characters that might roam gardens or protect them, students are encouraged to create scarecrows that embody either mischievous outlaws or noble guardians of the garden realm. The winning scarecrow will even stand guard at Government House! The school competitions will be judged outside of Show on Thursday 6 August. Robin McLay (RNA Councillor in Charge) T 0419 797 377 g G.O.A.T. Competition WHERE: Agricultural Education Hall The G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) Competition is a fun and interactive way for students to learn about red meat production through curriculum-linked resources – turning learning into art. Hosted at the MLA Stand, this colourful competition invites students to explore the deep connection between people, animals, and the land which is inspired by First Nations farming practices and their ongoing connection to modern farming. Twenty student finalists will have the opportunity to display their vibrant artwork on a life-sized fibreglass goat which will be on display at Ekka over nine days of the Show. It’s a lively and educational display that shows learning really can be the Greatest Of All Time! David Fagan (RNA Councillor in Charge) T 0413 080 931 H Horses WHERE: Main Arena and XXXX Stockmen’s Bar & Grill The Ekka’s horse competitions are an impressive showcase of equestrian excellence, showjumping thrills, breed diversity and fashionable flair. In the Horse Competition, more than 15 breeds will be on display across 1,660+ entries from petite Shetland Ponies to towering Clydesdales. Judging will take place from Sunday 9 to Sunday 16 August on the Main Arena. Returning this year are two Equestrian Fancy Dress classes, to be judged Friday 14 August at 5.30pm with $1,200 in prizemoney up for grabs. In Showjumping, 360+ entries have been received, with the Open Showjumping Showcases presented by Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) with an impressive $75,000 prize pool. Thanks to QOTT’s generous support, $50,000 is on offer in the 120cm class (Monday 10 August at 4pm) and $25,000 in the 105cm class (Sunday 9 August at 2pm). These showcase events celebrate the versatility of retired racehorses and promote life after racing opportunities in the showjumping arena. The prestigious Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day presented by QOTT will
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