Canadian World Champions!

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World Champions, from left: Michael Hargrave, Patrick Holland, Melissa McRae, Jared Hunter.

Last spring, three teams of four young Canadians were chosen to compete at the inaugural 2013 PGG Wrightson World Angus Forum held in Auckland, New Zealand, and two of the teams returned home with World Champion and Reserve World Champion titles.

Sponsored by the Canadian Angus Association and the Canadian Angus Foundation, team members traveled to Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand on Oct 9 for a five-section contest including general knowledge, parading (presentation, showmanship and sportsmanship with an Angus animal), stock judging, animal preparation (clip an animal for show) and agri-sports (hands-on team challenge involving day-to-day tasks). Team members also had the chance to visit Angus studs in the area and participate in an adrenaline tour with the 10 other teams from across the world. New Zealand included a 150-year celebration of Angus in their country and featured a first-class celebration.

The Canucks team of Jared Hunter, Didsbury, Alta., (captain), Patrick Holland, Montague, PEI , Melissa McRae, Brandon, Man., and Michael Hargrave, Maxwell, Ont., brought home the world champion title along with $10,000 NZ prize money.

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World Reserve Champions, from left: Erika Easton, Ty Dietrich, Kaitlynn Bolduc and Matthew Bates.

The reserve champion world title was awarded to Team B-squarED, consisting of captain Erika Easton, Wawota, Sask., Ty Dietrich, Forestburg, Alta., Kaitlynn Bolduc, Stavely, Alta., and Matthew Bates, Cameron, Ont. Bates was also announced the high individual for the entire contest, scoring highest in the most challenges as an individual.

The third team of outstanding youth representing Canada was The Eh Team and included Sean Enright, Renfrew, Ont., (captain), Stacey Domolewski, Taber, Alta., Chad Lorenz, Markerville, Alta., and Breanna Anderson, Swan River, Man. The Eh Team brought home honours for champion Team Presentation.

The Canadian Angus Foundation functions to preserve and expand the Angus breed for future generations through education, youth development, scientific and market research, and historical preservation. The Canadian Angus Foundation was incorporated in 1993 and is the charitable arm of the Canadian Angus Association.