Primary colours come out at Royal Hobart Show

A CHAMPION supreme bull with a carefree swagger knew how to get a bumper crowd to make room for him on People’s Day at the Royal Hobart Show.

CHIPS flew in the woodchopping arena and thoroughbred racing pigs certainly grabbed their share of attention, but it was a supreme champion bull with a carefree swagger that cut a swathe through the bumper 15,000 crowd on People’s Day at the Royal Hobart Show yesterday.

The primary reason for the show — producers showing off their wares to bridge the urban-rural divide — remains unchanged since 1822. And eager patrons lapped it up.

Anita and Allan Dixon, from Lintwood Limousin Stud at National Park, were delighted when their 642kg bull — 13-month-old Lintwood Jedi Master — was awarded the show’s supreme beef cattle sash.

“We’ve had a three-year break from showing and we are over the moon by winning such a major prize with such a crowd-pleasing animal,” Mrs Dixon said.

The beef cattle section had a massive 82 per cent entry increase, with more than 130 animals going before the judges.

Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania’s chief show organiser Scott Gadd said a steady stream of people flowed through the gates on the four-day event’s second day.

“It’s been a great day. We are over the moon with the crowd and flow of events. Everyone is happy, especially with the sun coming out,’’ Mr Gadd said.

“We’ve still got more big entertainment tomorrow and it wouldn’t surprise me if those wacky lumberjacks try to gatecrash the chainsaw racing.’’

Today will be capped off by fireworks at 8.45pm.

Pig whisperer Kevin Kiley, from Noah’s Thoroughbred Racing Pigs, could almost be labelled the pied piper of pigs because when he whistles they all come running.

“I have been doing this for 14 years and am now possibly the biggest little pig trainer in the world,” he said.

Campania stud sheep farmer Kevin Moore, 80 next Tuesday, was named a living legend of the show after 62 years of exhibiting.

Mr Moore is a pioneer of breeding white suffolk sheep and, with son Dale, supplies farms around Tasmania and interstate.

Woodchopping great Ken Devine, who competed in the Show arena for 70 years, was named the inaugural show legend last year.

CWA and Coles food sites, whose proceeds go to charity, were flat-out all day.