Stock Skills competition showcases specialist skills at Riseholme College

Stock Skills is designed to provide students with the experience of preparing for a large country show. Competing in Beef, Sheep and Equine classes, the students spend considerable time preparing for the event, practicing grooming and clipping skills and ensuring their animal’s diet means it is in optimum condition. The specialist skills and knowledge developed to compete are also transferable to the workplace in the future.

The event, held at the college’s Riseholme Park campus, near Lincoln, was attended by students’ friends and families, along with dignitaries and industry representatives.

Entrants are judged on the presentation, handling and knowledge of their animal and their own personal presentation. The judging panel, which included equine expert Caroline Heard and livestock expert Simon Alker, was headed up by Ian McNee a renowned breeder of Lincoln Reds.

Interim Vice Principal Business Development and Riseholme College Beth Curtis said “The Stock Skills competition is a fantastic Riseholme tradition and it’s wonderful to see the hard work and dedication of the young people who participated. The competition is one of the highlights of the college year and much-anticipated by staff and students alike. Huge congratulations to everyone who has taken part – you should be incredibly proud of the high standards on display!”

Under the guidance of master judge, Ian McNee, officials named Sophie Turner as the Overall Champion of the day.

In the Equine classes Ollie Edwards was named the Overall Equine Champion and Jemima Palmer received the Grooms Award. In the Livestock classes Jake Drummond was the Overall Beef Class winner, Jasmine Harris was awarded the Overall Stock Skills title and Sophie Turner was the Overall Sheep class winner, with Harry Morton awarded Stock Skills winner.

Riseholme College is one of the leading land-based colleges in the country, dedicated to supporting the future of agriculture through a partnership with the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology. Through this relationship and a pioneering student mentor scheme with experienced local farmers, the college is at the forefront of developing higher-level, technical skills in precision agriculture and precision technologies.

The college is still accepting applications for September 2024, to find our more visit www.riseholme.ac.uk.

Stock Skills Winners 2024

Equine

Overall Winner: Ollie Edwards

Grooms award: Jemima Palmer

Beef

Overall: Jake Drummond

Stock Skills: Jasmine Harris

Sheep

Overall: Sophie Turner

Stock Skills: Harry Morton

Overall Champion: Sophie Turner