Women clean up awards in Fieldays competition

– was a highlight, she said. ‘‘It’s a surprise to get the win, there’s a fantastic prize pool thanks to the sponsors so I’m stoked to take the win and for all of the memories from throughout the competition,’’ she said.

DairyNZ farm manager Ben Fisher of Ohaupo, near Hamilton, came in a close second place after some fierce competition.

The People’s Choice award went to Lilly Newton of Urenui, Taranaki. The hunter, horse woman and trainee pilot told Te Radar she probably hadn’t been ‘‘caught’’ by Taranaki blokes yet because she had very high specifications.

The competitors were flown into Fieldays by helicopter that morning, which may explain Newton’s next answer.

‘‘What are you looking for?’’ Te Radar asked.

‘‘I think I need a really rich sugar daddy to buy a helicopter for me,’’ she replied.

Before Fieldays started, the contestants took part in a two-day Farmlands road trip where they competed in a range of competitions at various Farmlands locations. Palmerston North’s Renae Flett took out top honours there, winning the Farmlands New Zealand National Fieldays Society chief executive Peter Nation Choice Award. The 2018 contestants were high calibre, New Zealand National Fieldays Society chief executive Peter Nation said.

‘‘This year we have an outstanding group of people with high aspirations that clearly represent how the future of farming looks for New Zealand’’ he said.

‘‘Whilst we had hope the girls would have a strong representation in the winners’ circle, we didn’t expect them to take out all three awards.

‘‘We hope this doesn’t put off any of the lads thinking about entering

Along with the Golden Gumboot trophy, Whittle won a King Quad worth $17,995 thanks to Suzuki, a $2000 Swanndri voucher, and Stihl and Skellerup vouchers. next year’s competition.’’