Better horse entry for Show

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32553, 12 March 1971, Page 6

Better horse entry for Show

Increased interest is shown in horse and pony events for the Cheviot Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s fifty-seventh annual show to be held at the Cheviot Show Grounds on Saturday.

A total of 144 ponies and horses are to compete with a heavy class in hunters: 204 entries against 147 in 1970; but with two rings working simultaneously events are expected to move quickly. Increased interest in wool classes are noticeable but sheep have shown a decline with a total of 266 against 291 for 1970 and 392 in 1969. Over the years the breeds of sheep showing at the Cheviot Show have changed. This year’s predominating breeds are Southdown and Romney. The early breeds of Suffolk, English Leicester and Shropshire have now faded from the schedule.

The flock sheep entries for the contest in May, which is held on alternate years with beef cattle, has drawn 60 entries over 56 for 1969. Entries are down this year and the total is 2841 against 3075 for 1970. Details with 1970 figures in brackets are: Sheep, 266 (291); Wool, 61 (53); Saddle horses, 127 (135); Ponies, 327 (343); Hunters, 204 (147); Dogs, 15 (17); Roots. Vegetables, Fruit, 133 (206); Grain and seed, 19 (17); Cookery, 138 (128); Fancywork, 92 (123); Photography, 63 (68); Art, 83 (98); National dancing, 55 <7n

Mr D. G. Hanis, this year’s president, is a Cheviot businessman. Born in Rangiora he spent his school days at Cheviot and Kaikoura. In 1956 he bought the Cheviot butchery. He also farms a small property, running breeding ewes and carrying cattle and sheep for his business. Mr Harris's chief hobby is breeding

ponies. He has several brood mares and young stock by his colt D’Ar Vangan, whose sire was the well-known Santa Claus. Mr Harris has bred mounts for his six children, all of whom are competing ,in the ring at the show. The photo shows Mr Harris with his children, five of them mounted on “homebred” ponies.