
South Burnett sisters make limousin history at the Ekka
CARMEN and Lannah Sowden are no ordinary farm kids.
The Kingaroy sisters, 13 and 11 years old, took their victories in the show ring from one level to the next with their hard work and passion for limousins.
The pair returned to the Ekka - where their success began two years ago - and in a first for limousin cattle at the Royal Queensland Show their cow was named the best of the show.
Oakwood Fiddlez was named Champion of Champions Cow (Interbreed Female) after being selected Supreme Limousin Cow in the ring when she entered the ring with her calf Five Star All About Me.
Carmen and Lannah's mother Shannon Sowden was brimming with pride with her daughters' success.
"This is a huge achievement for anyone let alone 11 and 13-year-old girls," she said.
"They were competing in the Led Steer and Stud Cattle sections and they had an unbelievable show.
"They would easily have been the most successful exhibitors on the grounds."
Carmen's Ekka 2015 success began with being named Champion School Parader.
She and Lannah went on to win Grand Champion Led Steer with Oakvale Thumper.
"They were in partnership with the Riley family from Toowoomba and the steer went on to be auctioned and was sold to the Eton Creek Hotel for a staggering $61/kg dressed weight," Mrs Sowden said.
"The same steer went on to win the Champion Heavyweight Carcass."
The show was a boon for the girls, who started their own stud with the prizemoney they won at their first Ekka outing in 2013.
Five Star All About Me, who entered the ring alongside mother Oakwood Fiddlez, was the first calf the girls bred.
With another Ekka success behind them the girls will continue with their breeding program and already have a number of cows in calf to the best limousin bull in Canada.
Fiddlez is one of them, and now she has taken out the highest honour in her showing career she will move into the breeders' paddock to continue building the Five Star herd.
