Forbes' Sam Smith has been named runner-up in the National ALPA Young Auctioneers competition.
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Sixteen auctioneers from around the country contested the Prosser Cup, in its 30th year, as the competition returned to its traditional venue at the Sydney Royal Easter Show amphitheatre last Thursday.
Sam Smith, who has been working for Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon and Co since he was 15, was the runner-up in the NSW Young Auctioneers in Dubbo last year and one of four NSW agents to bid for the national title.
Cooper Byrnes from AWN Langlands Hanlon in Parkes was also a NSW finalist, as was another young KMWL auctioneer Ryan Browne from Forbes. Unfortunately neither placed.
Sam said competition was tough, and while he knew he'd sold well he also felt there were three or four other competitors who must have been right in contention.
Stepping up to the rostrum at the Sydney Royal was a very different experience to Monday cattle sales at the Central West Livestock Exchange, but certainly worth it.
"It's a great experience, especially for young blokes," Sam confirmed on Monday, saying he's picked up on lots of "little things" through the competition that will improve his auction technique.
He believes the experiences he's had in the competitive arena will be a big boost to his confidence at the yards day to day.
ALPA CEO Peter Baldwin said the competitions were a brilliant showcase of the auctioneering talent across the state and the nation.
"The national competition with its largest ever representation of finalists was a true representation of the best of the best of our young auctioneers from across the country," he said.
"The performance of both national and state competitors was copybook, honouring the key credentials of the auctioneering craft with all competitors selling impeccably."
Competitors each sold three lots and were judged on their diction, values, voice and manner, as well as their presence and unique style, by a panel of respected and experienced auctioneers.