Yanco Agricultural High School’s enviable record exhibiting livestock at major shows is about to be boosted with the completion of the school’s show stock complex.       

Agriculture head teacher Ian Thompson said the new state-of-the-art facility was a welcome addition to the extensive agricultural facilities at the rural boarding school, east of Leeton.       

“The complex is a real shot in the arm for our show program,” Mr Thompson said.       

“It will allow our students to reach new heights with the preparation of horses, sheep and cattle that they exhibit.       

“Pursuing excellence through achievement in agriculture is one of Yanco’s most respected strengths.”       

Mr Thompson said the 2,400 square metre professional-standard facility included a sand arena, 16 stables, tack rooms, feed stores, a two-horse wash-bay and horse handling and weighing facilities.       

As well as offering a valuable space for exercising and training horses and cattle, the sand arena could also be used for football, netball, beach volleyball and marching practise for the school’s annual beach surf carnival, he said.       

Future plans for the complex included the addition of a classroom, offices and amenities.        Mr Thompson said the education department contributed to the construc-tion phase with the school funding the remainder of the project.       

Yanco Agricultural High School will be striving for honours in the cattle arena at the Sydney Royal Easter Show next month.       

Later in the year the school is also expected to compete in the National Steer Show at Dubbo, the Royal Melbourne Show and several local shows.       

Yanco Agricultural High is a specialist agriculture boarding school catering for 330 students.