Scottsdale shines ahead of its 120th annual show

Beef and prime cattle and lamb competitions will bring out the best breeders and handlers at the TTMI Scottsdale Show on Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15, as a highlight of the program in a landmark 120th year.

Scottsdale District High School students will be well represented in the junior judging and cattle classes with 12 head of cattle, including some young calves, entered in the show.

Food and fibre agriculture production teacher Kylie Rattray said that both the school’s Angus stud cattle and some of her own from Three Mile Spring Stud will be judged alongside the best in the state.

“The handlers will be competing on the Friday with judging of breed the same day and then final judging of handlers on the Saturday morning – the winners will represent Scottsdale at Circular Head Show on November 29,” Kylie said.

“We have some great new juniors from grades five and six as well as students from grade seven and it’s lovely to see a lot of the senior handlers who left school last year returning to help the team.”

Scottsdale Show Ambassador Makaylah Lester – a stock agent for Elders covering the north-east and the daughter of local beef farmers, will be particularly interested in the livestock, but has an even bigger role over the two days.

She will be handing out the ribbons at the junior rural ambassadors (show girl and show boy) contest and also to the best presented cattle in the grand parade.

Having attended the show for most of her life and often involved as a junior handler leading her pop’s jersey cows, it’s something she holds near and dear.

“My cousins and I would lead the cows and if we won we got to keep the prizemoney to spend on rides,” she said.

“Now I get to see my sister’s children enjoying it like I did and there’s so much local involvement in all the agricultural displays – it’s wonderful to see what everyone is doing.”

Show president Alice Hall said Scottsdale Show continues to thrive thanks to the tireless work of its committee and an emphasis on the simple, country staples such as horses, working dogs, wood chopping and farm machinery plus plenty of activities for all ages.

Poultry, shearing, animal nursery, pet parade and yard dog trials are among the traditional show exhibitions along with a variety of trade stalls for finding a special gift or sampling the best local produce.

“I believe we are one of the stronger shows in the state for doing that and not relying on high-end and imported entertainment,” Alice said.

“There is plenty to offer from our own backyard, for example we have Scottsdale’s own Burnside Pottery setting up pottery wheels for everyone to have some fun with and local Men’s Shed member Danny McCormack with his children’s games area – including things like the popular potato-throwing competition.”

The Hay Maze this year is courtesy Scottsdale Pork who have donated large bales for the tricky trap and it will be like the beach has come to the showground with a giant sandpit on site.

Cressy’s Clint Shelton will have his popular Island Kelpies demonstration where no animal, including geese, are exempt from being herded.

The footy field will become equestrian territory for the two days in one of the biggest horse shows on the calendar.

Friday night entertainment is by Zac Weeks and Scottsdale Show is also hosting the State Rural Ambassador finals for 2026 with Scottsdale Show Ambassador for 2024, Grace Chatwin, representing the show.

Gates open at 7am each day and entry prices are: Adults $15, Children 7-15 years $10, Children under 6 years Free, concession card holders $12, family day pass 2 adults, 2 children $40.00. Eftpos will be available at all gates.