A seven-year-old young handler has claimed a major title in the cattle rings at the Royal Norfolk Show – sparking celebrations among three generations of her dairy farming family.
Olivia Shipley, from Woodton, near Bungay, became the champion young handler for the Holstein class and also took the overall inter-breed title.
She had been up since 3am washing, milking and feeding the animals before showing her favourite calf, named Poringland Ina 4, to the judges.
'I am really happy,' she said. 'I thought I might have won the class, but not the inter-breed. I just like walking with them and talking with them.'
Olivia's mother Sarah Shipley, also a former young handler, said: 'I am really proud. It is amazing.
'I used to win the odd class, but never quite as young as she has done it. I started when I was seven, so she has got a head start on me.
'It is nice to think they are interested, more than anything. It teaches them so many different skills.'
Her grandfather, 71-year-old dairy farmer John Cawston, who started showing cattle when he was 12, added: 'I didn't expect her to win. She is only seven, and she was up against people up to 26 years old. I just hope she carries on showing.'
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