A visit to a rural mate sparked an unexpected victory for Sydney student Rosie Mahony at the Hay Merino Sheep Show's junior judging event.

Visiting a school friend led University of Technology (UTS) Sydney student Rosie Mahony to the winner’s circle at the 2025 Hay Merino Sheep Show. 

Rosie told The Land newspaper she learned about sheep from visiting school friend Olivia Huggins at her family’s home at Woodpark Poll Merino stud, near Hay.

Olivia’s father Steve, and Woodpark stud’s principal shared his wisdom with Ms Mahony.

"Steve gave us a little lesson and it's obviously paid off," she said.

Ms Mahony will need to take time off from her studies towards a double degree in law and film, to next take part in the sheep judging at the Sydney Royal Show, at Easter next year.

Ms Mahony took out the 15 to 25-year-old age group judging, ahead of Angus Knox from Conargo, while Hay Inc rural education program graduate Ashlee Trebilco was awarded third.

In the under 15-years junior judging, the winner was Sam Frost, second went to Tash Lucas and third to Harvey Schilg.