The pride the Walbundrie Show Society has for its first Sydney Royal Showgirl winner, Stephanie Clancy, was clear as she opened the 108th event.
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The Albury-based agronomist won the title in April after being signed up by her dad, Rick, in the local 2018 showgirl competition, and then going on to win the zone seven round.
Ms Clancy said Walbundrie Show president Max Webb, who has hosted the young steward at his business during her university studies, had cried when hearing the news she had been named Royal Showgirl.
"I really do cherish our friendship Max, and I am happy and proud to do this," she said.
"Showgirl for me has been a challenge I never expected; this time last year I was very casual about the whole experience.
"The networking, career and personal development opportunities I've experienced in the last six months alone have been phenomenal.
"I want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the showgirl movement."
As The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl, Ms Clancy has so far toured 10 of the 190 NSW agricultural shows and, having seen it done elsewhere, introduced the 'young farmer's challenge' to the Walbundrie Show.
"It's the first time we've come up with this," she said.
"I've been going to different shows to look at what they do - there's so many little bits and pieces we can bring in to enhance it."
Young farmers were challenged to scoff a pie, flip a tyre, throw potatoes in a sack, wheelbarrow their partner and finally roll a swag.
Doing all that in 90 seconds, Mason Collins and Nathan Wenke claimed the title and won a slab of beer for their efforts.
Soon after the challenge, the Walbundrie Showgirl sash was passed onto Jindera's Aimee Riley.
Albury MP Justin Clancy helped judge the other showgirl and showboy categories, and four-year-old Hunter Dawson added another sash to his collection.
His mum Jessica Dawson of Culcairn said he had won champion baby.
"He likes getting dressed up," she said.
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"I've been coming to this show since I was young - we get together with our family and it's a great local event."
Mr Webb said while the crowds had been assisted by the clear weather, it was not good for farmers in the region.
"A lot of people are cutting crops because they're just not coming to anything," he said.
"Show-wise, generally it's really good.
"We have Danny Phegan playing and the young farmer's challenge as two new attractions.
"This year is going to be up there."