Adelong's agricultural show has been hailed as "the lifeblood" of the little town as it hosted the Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman finals for the region.
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Candelo's Sophie Heffernan and Cooma's Emily Rowson were named the Zone 3 representatives heading to the state finals on Saturday night.
The event was held at the newly-refurbished Adelonion Theatre, where 150 people attended much to the delight of Adelong Show Society president Michael Campbell.
"My biggest thanks go to Jo Salmon, who organised the night," he said.
"Without this great committee, we wouldn't be where we are tonight.
"We have this terrific hall that 12 months ago didn't even look like this.
"We've got an awesome town to show off to everyone else; hosting the zone event is a huge honour.
"For the girls here tonight, it emphasises you can come from a little town and make it on the big stage."
Like many NSW agricultural shows, Adelong Show faced significant challenges following the 2019/20 bushfires and COVID-19, so it didn't run for a few years.
"A few of us realised it so important for our community and our kids - it's the one event in our community where everyone from every background can get together," Mr Campbell said.
"If you're a horse person, you love your honey, you like your salamis, you want to show off your flowers or your dogs, you all come together on the one day, and we thought it was too important to let go.
"It's the lifeblood of our little town."
Rebecca Dean, Adelong's Young Woman, also made it to the zone finals on Saturday night.
Candelo's Ms Heffernan is studying for a Bachelor of Business and Enterprise at Southern Cross University while working as an undergraduate tax accountant.
After school, she worked in the Northern Territory before returning home to pursue breeding cattle and horses, which she is incredibly passionate about.
Ms Heffernan is part of many committees - including treasurer of the Candelo Campdrafting Association Candelo Show Society - and loves horse riding, campdrafting, breeding and training horses, cooking, and leatherwork.
"It's very exciting; I feel very privileged to be here tonight and get to know the other contestants," she said.
"It has been great."
Come March, it will be the first time Ms Heffernan will attend Sydney Royal.
"I hope to meet more like-minded girls and network," she said.
"I'm really looking forward to getting amongst it; I'm very excited."
Meanwhile, Ms Rowson works in administration and teaches at St Paul's College, where she was boarding and equine captain in Year 12.
She volunteers for the Jindabyne Rodeo Committee, where she was recently appointed president and lends a hand teaching at local pony clubs.
Ms Rowson was sashed by reining Young Woman Florance McGufficke, who also went to the state final, representing Cooma.
"They are big boots to fill," she said.
"It was mentioned this morning, the pressure of following the beautiful Florance who did win last year.
"I hope to grow, meet new people, open doors, and networking on a bigger level."
