GALLERY - 2026 Longford Show wrap and results

The Longford Show’s post-COVID boost continues, with attendance up this year and sheep entries remaining steady.

Around 5000 people turned out for the 169th edition of the show, with the event first held in 1859.

Longford Show sheep section chief steward Brian Shadbolt said nine breeds from 18 different studs were represented this year, with a total of 99 sheep competing.

“It’s about the same as previous years,” Mr Shadbolt said.

“But last year was a special year because it was the 100th anniversary of the Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association.

“There were around 140 sheep across 14 different breeds.”

The woodchopping competitions were a drawcard for attendees this year.

“We had a huge crowd watch the tree felling,” woodchopper Amanda Beams said.

“Once we started our chainsaws, there were people everywhere – a little bit of noise brings a crowd.”

Kody Steers took out the Tasmanian Underhand Championship title at the Longford Show, one of 20 events on the state’s 2026/27 woodchopping calendar.

The best-performing woodchopper across the season will be crowned the Tasmanian Champion of Champions.

Mr Steers represented Australia at the Stihl Timbersports World Championships in Budapest in June, finishing third overall.

Longford Show Society secretary Mia Blair said this year’s numbers exceeded the “exceptional” attendance of 2025.

“The Longford Show is a very traditional agricultural show,” Ms Blair said.

“I think we offer really great value for money for everyone, from young families to older generations.

“There’s certainly plenty of free attractions and activities, so for families it isn’t hitting the hip pocket too hard.”

Ms Blair said admission prices to the 2026 show were unchanged from last year.

“The sheep, kennel, equestrian and wood chopping competitions happen every year.

“But we are trying to be really creative with some of the things that we offer outside of that by trying to change up the attractions from last year.

"We want to offer a good variety for families and the broader community.”

SHEEP RESULTS

Supreme Show Exhibit

Champion: Southdown, Koondah KA & CJ Viney

Best Presented Sheep in Wool

Champion: Mountain Mist - Maurice & Imogen Baldock

Supreme Interbreed Group in Show

Champion: White Suffolk, Mountain Mist - Maurice & Imogen Baldock

Reserve Champion: Poll Dorset, Capelands - Nigel, Diana & Olivia Wade

Supreme Interbreed Ewe in Show 

Champion: Hampshire Down, Shakespeare Downs - Julie Hodge

Reserve Champion: Suffolk, Cote Hele - Lily Cresswell

Supreme Interbreed Ram in Show

Champion: Southdown, Koondah KA & CJ Viney

Reserve Champion: Poll Dorset, Capelands - Nigel, Diana & Olivia Wade

Supreme Prime Lamb Breeds Ram

Champion: Southdown, Koondah KA & CJ Viney

Dorper Rams 

Champion and Reserve Champion Ram: Mount Dromedary - Bob & Simone Burrows

Dorper Ewes

Champion Ewe and Reserve Champion Ewe: Mount Dromedary - Bob & Simone Burrows

Suffolk Ewes 

Champion and Reserve Champion Ewe: Cote Hele - Lily Cresswell

Ryeland Rams

Champion and Reserve Champion Ram: Capelands - Nigel, Diana & Olivia Wade

Ryeland Ewes

Champion and Reserve Champion Ewe: Langara Stud - Cody Jones

English Leicester Rams

Champion and Reserve Champion Ram: Melton Park - Brenton Heazlewood             

English Leicester Ewes

Champion and Reserve Champion Ewe: Melton Park - Brenton Heazlewood

Hampshire Down Rams

Champion Ram: Loatta - A Eddington & R Viney

Reserve Champion Ram: Yolandra Hampshire Down Stud - Yolla District School             

Hampshire Down Ewes

Champion and Reserve Champion Ewe: Shakespeare Downs - Julie Hodge

White Suffolk Rams 

Champion and Reserve Champion Ram: Cardello - Carmen Cresswell              

White Suffolk Ewes

Champion and Reserve Champion Ewe: Cardello - Carmen Cresswell

Southdown Rams

Champion Ram: Koondah - KA & CJ Viney

Poll Dorset Rams

Champion and Reserve Champion Ram: Capelands - Nigel, Diana & Olivia Wade

Poll Dorset Ewes

Champion and Reserve Champion Ewe: Capelands - Nigel, Diana & Olivia Wade

Suffolk Rams

Champion Ram: Cote Hele - Lily Cresswell

Reserve Champion Ram: Brumby Plains - Cressy District High School

Suffolk Ewes 

Champion and Reserve Champion Ewe: Cote Hele - Lily Cresswell

Merino Rams 

Champion and Reserve Champion Ram: Glen Stuart - Edwina Caswell

Merino Ewes

Champion and Reserve Champion Ewe: Glen Stuart - Edwina Caswell

YARD DOG RESULTS

Novice 

1st Kristen Blazley with Pete 

2nd Michael Hall with Ted 

3rd Lachie Groves with Ash

Improver 

1st Adrian Carpenter with Duke 

2nd Adrian Carpenter with Ally 

3rd Dean Allan with Buster

Open

1st Adrian Carpenter with Monster 

2nd Adrian Carpenter with Percy 

3rd Michael Hall with Jock

WOODCHOPPING RESULTS

250mm Standing Hcp

1st Rowan Partridge

2nd Dale Beams

3rd Daniel Gurr

300mm Standing Hcp

1st Damien Purton

2nd Josh Bakes

3rd Daniel Beams

275mm Underhand Hcp

1st Dylan Rowe

2nd Dale Beams

3rd Zack Beams

300mm Underhand Hcp

1st Mitchell Rowe

2nd Andrew Kelly

3rd Blake Lovell

250mm Masters Standing Hcp

1st Mick Tucker

2nd Matthew Gurr

3rd Rowan Partridge

250mm Frontmarkers Standing Hcp

1st Connor Purton

2nd Mitchell Rowe

3rd Graham Purton

275mm Ladies Underhand Hcp

1st Margaret Hogarth

2nd Kallee Batchelor

3rd Amanda Beams

275mm Treefelling Hcp

1st Daniel Gurr

2nd Dylan Rowe

3rd Matthew Gurr

Single-Handed Sawing Hcp

1st Dylan Rowe

2nd Daniel Beams

3rd Rick Rogers

300mm Tasmanian Underhand Championship

1st Kody Steers

2nd Dylan Rowe

3rd Josh Bakes

4th Daniel Gurr

5th Daniel Beams

6th Dale Beams

NTAA Stock Saw Operators Super Series Championship

1st Matthew Gurr

2nd Daniel Gurr

3rd Kody Steers