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Cora Sharp returns to The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this week as part of the New Brunswick Royal Dairy Team and is looking forward to getting in the ring.

“I learned last year that flying isn’t so bad, the city isn’t for me and I learned a lot about team work and how to get things done efficiently,” she explained.  “I’m looking forward to the really good food but I’m mostly looking forward to actually getting in the ring this year instead of watching from the sidelines.

Cora is attending The Royal for the second time this year along with her sister Sophie who is acting as Alternate for the NB Royal Dairy team.

"I’m showing in Senior Showmanship class and in the Colour Breed class. Both days start at 8 a.m, " said Cora.  "This year my sister Sophie is our alternate and she is in the exact same shoes as I was last year so I am able to help her out."

Cora Sharp is no stranger to cows and has been showing since she was nine-years-old.

“My two sisters, my little brother and three of my cousins are all in my 4H club,” explained Cora.  A fourth-year Environmental Sciences student from Sussex, New Brunswick, Cora grew up on a dairy farm milking 60 cows in a tie stall barn using eight milking units.

“I like being able to work with calves, “said Cora.  “Every calf you train is different and it really tests my patience,” she added.  “I learn something new every show I go to and every time I step in the ring!”

Cora joined the Sussex Holstein 4H Calf Club and began showing when was nine-years-old. Since then she has shown both dairy and beef. 

“Many, many hours go into training a calf when preparing for a show,” explained Cora.  “I train mine five-days-a week if not more. It's important to know the heifer you're training so you can show off her strengths and hide her weaknesses. I wash her lots and clip her quite a few times. I got people to watch me walk my heifer so I know how she looks as she is moving,” she added.

Cora has a busy study break competing in two national competitions this week.

"When I get back from The Royal I’m going straight to Halifax to join my soccer team at the CCAA national soccer tournament that we are co-hosting," she explained.  "Competing in two national competitions in one week is probably the best but most stressful way to spend my study break!

The Dal AC Rams are competing in the CCAA women's soccer national championship at the Mainland commons in Halifax this week co-hosted by Dal AC and University of Kings. The Dal AC Rams finished first in league play and are the host entry in the tournament.

Cora has always loved animals and wants Dairy farming to be a big part of her future.

“I want to use my degree and my passion for agriculture to some day have my own farm,” she said.

Good Luck Cora!