Page 24 - Woman's Weekly - New Zealand (January 2020)
P. 24
weeklyPEOPLE
THEY’RE YOUR STORIES involved in competitions. competitors after “trotting away
They didn’t need much with first, second and third
lip, slop, slapping isn’t the Catherine with a laugh. convincing. The Pork Pullers was placings in the purebred
first thing that springs to Lesson learned and the born and their first purchases, section”, says 28-year-old
Smind when discussing all three women, who go by the Boaratt, a five-month-old Emma, a senior sales rep for a
things pig. But then King Curtis syndicate name The Pork Pullers, Berkshire, and Optimus Swine, rural retailer and the group’s HR,
wasn’t any old hog. The large are now looking to show only a 130kg black and white or hog relations manager.
white is one of several boars Berkshires, a rare breed of saddleback, not only took the Their success has continued
that longtime friends – twins English domestic swine finding show ring by surprise, but with Stephen Porkings and
Catherine and Emma Sharpin renewed favour among the Boaratt won them their very Piggy Smalls, two purebred
and Annabel Askin – have culinary cognoscenti. first ribbon. Berkshires they raised from
exhibited since their compeitition The trio all grew up on The following year Liam weaners, bought for $200.
debut at Christchurch’s A&P farms around Lowcliffe in Squealer, Hugh Grunt and King Porkings, a 100kg boar, won
Show in 2017. mid-Canterbury. Their foray Curtis entered the every round he was eligible for
King Curtis was, as the three into hog handling followed circuit. Liam was at the 2019 Christchurch show in
women put it, just “porker”. an approach from the trucked up to November and was crowned
Unfortunately, he also needed Boar Breeders the Royal 2019 Supreme Champion.
bucket-loads of sunscreen to Association (BBA), Hawke’s Bay From all accounts, raising
stop his light-coloured flanks which was keen Show and the beasts is a combination of
from sunburn. to get more stunned hilarity and hard work.
“It blew our budget,” says females veteran Tells Annabel, 31, “The first
THE TRIO ARE BRINGING HOME
THE BACON ... ER, RIBBONS
Below, from left: HOGGING THE
Annabel, Emma and
Catherine look after
SPOTLIGHT
their charges from
farm to plate!
Our Babes
are win ners!
