Page 25 - Woman's Weekly - New Zealand (January 2020)
P. 25
PHOTOS: TESSA BURROWS • HAIR & MAKE-UP: BRAE TOIA • GUMBOOTS FROM SKELLERUP
year we used my parents’ dairy and can get depressed if they’re percentage of lean muscle to “We have been the only girl
farm to raise them. The old man in solitary confinement. We fat ratio, we use a combination syndicate in the show scene
said no when we asked, but make sure the pig pen has a of anaerobic and strength- until last year and it hasn’t been
sometimes it’s easier to ask for shelter hut, fresh water and based training.” easy to work our way to the
forgiveness than consent! plenty of space to move around Prior to show day, the pigs top,” admits Emma. “We
“Our parents thought we and play. We often lead them to are meticulously groomed – wanted to show other rural girls
were nuts having our weekly creeks or mud holes on hot days washed, exfoliated, oiled, that it was something they could
meetings in the pig pen, so they can bathe and cool off.” buffed and talcumed. The next get involved with and have a
drinking wine and eating bacon Animal nutrition area job, says Emma, is getting laugh along the way. It’s a huge
and egg pie.” manager Catherine is the themselves ready. annual event on the social
Annabel, a clinical exercise syndicate’s PA, or pig analyst, “We want to look classy and calendar – a bit like family
physiologist, is The Pork Pullers’ responsible for keeping their sophisticated, as the boys wear Christmas, no-one ever wants
CEO – and the squeamish charges in tip-top condition. suit jackets and ties. Our vibe to miss out.”
should look away now – or “We use a customised has been country chic each And speaking of Christmas,
chief execution officer. She is, feeding and exercise training year, so we try and interpret while the first of their show
however, well aware of the regime, similar to that of a this into our outfit choices.” pigs was passed on to other
swines’ mental health needs. high-performance athlete,” she They’ve also become known breeders, several have ended
She explains, “Pigs need to boasts. “Their dietary regime for their pre and post-judge up in the freezer, including
be kept in twos or more as they includes a blend of protein partying, spurred along by a Piggy Smalls, who was last
are very social and and starch, so no household not-so-sneaky espresso martini month’s Christmas ham. #
intelligent animals, scraps! And to get the correct or Pimms. Julie Jacobson
Below: Top hog Stephen Porkings
pokes his tongue at his rivals.
Bottom: The girls are hot to
trotter in their show attire.
ners!
New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 25
