Good number of entries

Press, 29 October 1981, Page 22

Good number of entries

The 104th Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Society Show has attracted 4000 entries.

Trade exhibitions have increased noticeably with several from out of the district.

As always there will be an extensive agriculture display.

Guest of honour at this year’s show is Sir Charles Hilgendorf. A former chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board, Sir Charles lives on his farm just out of Lauriston.

For the secretary, Mr John Robertson, it has been a hectic time. As his first year in this position (Mr - Jack McDonnell had been secretary for the past 28 years) organising the show has been a challenge. Fortunately, Mr Robertson has also had exSerience as secretary of the felsh Pony and Cob Society of New Zealand and as secretary of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society. One of the highlights of the show will be the western qqarterhorse section. Riders will be dressed in American cowboy regalia and take their mounts through intricate side-stepping and pivoting exercises. Between 40 and 50 riders will take, part in the display, held just after the grand parade. The horse and donkey section, as with many other

shows, has the largest number of entries. Nearly 1700 entries have been received, an increase of about 100 on last vear.

In addition to the quarterhorse section there will be Welsh and Arab ponies on display as well as the grand old Clydesdales.

Entries in the sheep and cattle sections, 659 and 73 respectively, are down on 1980 figures. The association secretary, Mr John Robert-

son, said that this had been caused through two farmers moving out of the district and one farmer retiring. Wool is also down slightly, to 42 entries.

Each year the Royal Agriculture Society donates a silver medal to be awarded to the section designated by the local association. This year the medal will be presented in the all breeds cattle section.

Another popular event with the crowd is the dog trials. Entries in this section have increased by 14 to 98. The final of the dog trials will be held in the main ring just before the grand parade. In both the goat and pig sections, 28 entries have been received.

A new section to the show is poultry with 110 entries. Entries in craft and produce include: flowers, 98; cooking, 226; needlework, 253; school classes, 355: photography, 641; paintings, 31; dancing, 216. Eleven community groups will also be demonstrating various crafts such as macrame, spinning, weaving, and leatherwork under the old grandstand. Gate fees are $2 for adults, 50 cents for children and $1 for cars. Children under the age of five are admitted free.