Cross border winner at The Royal

TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Grand champions can come from anywhere – even Michigan. That's where GCC JPF Exciter A222 hails from. This 2435 pound bull is the Grand Champion Hereford Bull at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. Exciter's owner is Bob Goble from Alto, Michigan, who is a judge for The Royal as well  - although not in the Hereford show.

Goble grew up in Ontario and showed cattle at The Royal becoming an expert fitter along the way. "I showed every breed but Herefords," he admits.

Herefords entered Goble's life when he got married and moved to Michigan. He worked first as a herdsman and then moved to herd manager for a Hereford breeder. Eventually, he bought a farm and then purchased the herd he managed.

"For me, The Royal is a homecoming," Goble says. He isn't sure if he will be showing at next year's Royal because he would like to come and help his many friends prepare their animals for competition and judge.

Goble has been judging at The Royal for over 20 years and he particularly likes judging the youth competitions. "It's like the Olympics for these kids just like it was for me when I was a kid." He encourages the competitors when he is judging  and tries to say something positive to each one.

When Exciter was named Grand Champion, he moved to the Masterfeeds Supreme Beef Champion competition but didn't win. This Michigan bull isn't done competing, however,  because after the Royal, Goble is taking Exciter to Agribition. Following the show season,  Exciter will move to a new home in Alberta.

The Royal is supported in part by the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

SOURCE Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Image with caption: "GCC JPF Exciter A222 (CNW Group/Royal Agricultural Winter Fair)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151109_C6367_PHOTO_EN_540096.jpg

Karen Poncelet, Marketing Communications and Community Relations Mgr, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, 39 Manitoba Drive, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, Direct: 416-263-3411 Fax: [phone]