27 November 2015

Mannering named top Young Auctioneer

PGG Wrightson auctioneer, George Mannering took out the top spot in the Heartland Bank Young Auctioneers Competition recently at the Canterbury A&P Show.

The competition, now in its fourth year, attracted nine entries from around the country, and Mr Mannering was pleased to be crowned as the top Young Auctioneer after entering for the third time.

The 26-year old is based in Methven and has been working as a stock agent for the past four years and selling for three.

“I was given a go one day on the rail at the Temuka Sale Yards and I’ve never looked back.”

Mr Mannering said that the competition has helped him improve as an auctioneer.

“I think any form of competition makes you better. Anyone with a competitive nature enjoys any opportunity to have a go against the best in their field. The competition is a great platform to showcase your skills to the industry and have a lot of fun.”

Mr Mannering won the competition after two tough days of competition. Two qualifying events helped whittle the nine entrants down to five finalists. On Thursday 12 November contestants were required to go through the opening processes of a sale, sell by mock auction two show cattle and then close the sale. The event was made more realistic by requiring the competitors to research the animals they were selling, including interviewing the breeder, having bidding restricted to "plants" in the crowd and having a selling ring. Competitors were judged on personal presentation, knowledge of the stock they were selling, use of relevant animal information, and voice delivery including diction, delivery and patter.

The second qualifying event was held on the next morning, consisting of a 15-minute interview with a new panel of judges where they were tested on auction law and auctioneers’ responsibilities. The final later that day required the final five to sell three lots.

Mr Mannering won a trip to the Sydney Royal Easter Show next year to watch the Australian Young Auctioneers Competition, thanks to Heartland Bank, along with a $500 Swanndri clothing voucher, the New Zealand Stock and Station Agent Association Trophy and the Denis Hazlett Memorial Medal.

-ENDS-

© Scoop Media