Welcome to our guest judge, Rachel McKay

A little bit about Rachel ...

Rachel McKay
Digbydale Stud, Adelaide SA

Having always been fond of animals I have owned and bred various types of animals over the years. My love of cavies began in 2006 when I purchased two females as pets from a pet shop. I soon discovered that one of my pets was not a female and there were babies on the way. After searching the internet for information I found the contact details for the SA Cavy Club and went off to my first show to learn how to care for my pregnant sow. This is when I discovered the world of pedigree cavies and began to learn how to breed and exhibit. I started of with self reds, lilacs, cinnamon agouti and rex as my first breeds.

I now have a stud of around 90 cavies and I currently breed and show dutch, self and satin buffs, self and crested blacks, golden agouti, lemon agouti and rex.  I occasionally show longhairs and continue to try to develop my presentation skills with longs. I have been quite involved with the running of the cavy clubs in South Australia and am currently the Secretary of the SA Cavy Council and Secretary of SA Cavy Club. For three years I was show manager for the SA Cavy Club which helped me to learn the operations of shows. I enjoy being involved with the cavy community and try to contribute as much as I can amongst work and home commitments. One of the things I have enjoyed immensely from my involvement with cavies is the opportunity to travel and make new friends all over Australia as well as the opportunity to see and judge such a wide range of cavy breeds.

I completed my judges training at the end of 2011, after judging in South Australia on probation for 12 months. In 2012 I undertook my first interstate judging appointments in Launceston, Cairns, Hobart and Melbourne and judged the Novice and Junior Exhibits at the National Show. Since then I have been undertaking approximately 5 interstate judging appointments per year.

I live in Adelaide, South Australia with my partner Matt, my two poodles Digby and Latte, 5 chickens and the cavy stud. I work for the Department for Correctional Services where I have been employed for 19 years, and I currently manage two Community Correctional Offices where offenders come to report for Parole, probation, bail, community Service and Mental Impairment Supervision. My professional background is in psychology, social work and management. My other hobbies include gardening, cooking, martial arts and dog training.

Thank you for inviting me to judge your Anniversary Show. This is my first ever trip to Western Australia and I look forward to meeting all of you soon.

Rachel McKay with Satin Self DE Cream
Best Satin (both shows), Canberra Royal 2014