Entries open for New Zealand’s largest A&P Show

18 July 2014

Entries open for New Zealand’s largest A&P Show

Show organisers for the 2014 Canterbury A&P Show are calling upon showing enthusiasts from throughout New Zealand to send in their entries and compete in the country’s largest Agricultural and Pastoral Show. For over 150 years, The Show has been attracting and showcasing New Zealand’s best animals and talented competitors. In addition to showing success, exhibitors will be competing for over $100,000 in prize money.

More than 3000 animals and close to 1000 competitors are expected to compete in 1700 classes including sections for horse and pony, beef and dairy cattle, sheep, alpaca, llama, wool, goat, dog trials, poultry, shearing and woolhandling, woodchopping and vintage machinery. Entries are also open for two of the feature competitions of The Show – the Mint Lamb Competition where New Zealand’s top lambs are put to a taste test, and the Young Auctioneers Competition where up-and-coming stock agents get to show off their skills.

Canterbury A&P Association President, Richard Parkes is confident of another strong exhibitor turnout in 2014. “It’s a testament to the volunteers behind The Show and the exhibitors, both old and new, that we consistently attract some of the best equestrian and livestock entries that New Zealand has to offer – that equates to around 7000 entries each year.”

“Exhibitors travel from all over the country to attend The Show – it’s very much a national event. To acknowledge and encourage exhibitors that travel from further afield, we’re once again offering subsidies to those that travel great distances. This year the offer is extended to all exhibitors travelling more than 400km to compete in The Show.”

The Canterbury A&P Show is the pinnacle of showing success and offers many benefits to exhibitors, says Parkes. “It’s not just the prize money that draws exhibitors from around the country. A win at the Canterbury A&P Show is a recognition of excellence which can result in financial success for breeders. The standard of competition also means that we can offer excellent entertainment and viewing for the 100,000 people that attend the show every year.”

A great viewing opportunity for the public is the horse and pony section which continues to grow each year. Two more sections have been added in 2014: The Golden Horse section will see horses with golden coloured coats, such as Palomino and Buckskin, competing for the Supreme Golden Horse award, and the European Native Breeds section will showcase a variety of breeds including Connemara, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Haflinger, New Forest and more.

The Canterbury A&P Show attracts around 100,000 visitors every year. This year’s 152nd Show will be held at the Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch from Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 November. The Schedule of Classes can be downloaded at www.theshow.co.nz or contact the Show Secretary on 03 343 3033 or info@theshow.co.nz. Entries close late September for most sections.

ENDS

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