APART from having an excuse to get dressed up, Clifton Showgirl Rachael Bell said winning the competition gave her a completely new perspective on her local show.

"I'm learning lots. There's so much going on," she said.

The Warwick Daily News found Miss Bell, who grew up on a small crops farm at Pilton, watching on from the sidelines of the stud cattle ring, taking tips from the ring's edge.

Before that, Miss Bell took in the Australian Whipcracking Championship.

"I'm much more comfortable in the horse arena," she said.

The Coliers Real Estate contract and advertising assistant said her love of horses came from her family's involvement in the racehorse industry.

"I grew up watching races with the family, and then my sister competed in dressage and I followed on from her," she said.

She competed in the hack events in the main arena yesterday.

"The weekend is a nice excuse to get dressed up and meet other young girls," Miss Bell said.

"I would definitely recommend going in the showgirl competition because it's an opportunity to get around to parts of the show you never would have experienced before.

"It's nice just to walk around and pop into different sections and lend a hand because a lot of those volunteers would have organised it all on their own - it just takes the pressure off them for a bit."

Although Miss Bell lives in Toowoomba these days, the show and the Clifton community still hold a special place in her heart.

"My first and most vivid memory is walking my friend's border collie in the pet parade," she said.

"It's important kids get those opportunities to feel special at their local show.

"It provides a place for the local agricultural community to come along and show off what they've got."