Members of Beaulieu and Brockenhurst young farmers clubs honoured in South of England Show run by the Agricultural Society

Young Farmers’ Club members have taken home awards in the South of England Show run by the Agricultural Society.

Gemma Hobbs (17) took first place in the junior section of the beef stock judging, while her friend Izzy Bennett, aged16, was awarded best in dairy.

Gemma, from Boldre, is a member of Beaulieu Young Farmers’ Club while Izzy, from Shirley, goes to the Brockenhurst branch and is so “obsessed” by farming she even went to her prom last week in a tractor.

Her mum Laura said: “It’s funny because she really is a city girl who wants to be a farm girl. We have not had anything do with farming, but it is Izzy’s total passion and she hopes to become a farm vet.”

When she was just a toddler, Izzy started helping her auntie Sarah Mills at Holbury’s All Animal Rescue and she now helps out at Ford Farm Riding Stables in Brockenhurst.

Stable owners Trudy Nineham and James Young, who also have cattle, have “taken her under their wing”, says her mum and “taught her so much.”

Izzy has also been helped by Samantha Gates and Josh Othen, chair and vice chair of Brockenhurst Young Farmers. It was Josh who provided the tractor and drove Izzy to her prom.

Laura said: “She joined Young Farmers in 2020 and they have just been fantastic in nurturing her love for farming. She just loves being with animals.

“She doesn’t give herself enough credit for how good she is. In April she became Young Stockman of the Year for Hampshire and also took top in sheep and cattle judging.

“Then this month she won the junior dairy category at the South England Show.

“To say we are proud of her is an understatement!”

Gemma’s mum Sally Jolly said her love of farming was inspired by her grandfather Pete Pidgeley. She said: “We are commoners, but it has really been Gemma’s grandfather who got her interested in the farming side of things.

“He says she loves learning new skills and gaining knowledge about different aspects of farming, such as assessing the qualities of different animals. Gemma is so grateful that her granddad introduced her to Young Farmers, as she has made so many new friends and gained so many new skills.

“She said winning felt incredible and a bit of a dream, but she can’t wait to take part in the national finals in Stafford in July. “

Sally said Pete “was nearly in tears” when Gemma won, adding: “He was just so proud.”

Gemma works at Norley Farm part time and is front of house at the Filly Inn, Brockenhurst.

During the competition, she had to judge cattle looking at their muscle tone, rib structure, and other criteria. She then had to give her reasons for judging the ‘perfect’ animal.

Sally said: “We were just thrilled when she won. It was so great when Izzy won too - it’s just amazing to have two New Forest girls come top in the competition.”

Both girls will now compete in the national finals in Yorkshire.