Entries slightly down

Press, 28 February 1986, Page 25

Entries slightly down

Although the . Amuri Show entries are down slightly on last year, considered to be a reflection of the economic times, the total of 2580 still compares well with previous shows.

The showgrounds at Rotherham are 110 km from Christchurch, with Rotherham being reached by turning off the Lewis Pass route, Highway 7, at the Red Post, just a few kilometres north of Culverden.

Horse and pony sections will start at 8.30 a.m., an advance of a half-hour for some classes, to ensure that the show gets through the big horse competitions in time.

The horse events feature also the first round of a triangular competition, sponsored by Apex Tyres Ltd, with the next two rounds to be decided at the Cheviot and Hawarden Shows. These competitions provide for two classes for ponies and one for hacks. As well as the prizes awarded at each of the shows, competitors in these events will carry points forward for an over-all result. Always a popular spectator event, the dog trials make the earliest start at 7.30 a.m. and will run for most of the day, catering for open and maiden dogs and district events.

The entry totals will be boosted by two post entry competitions, the flowers and the machine sheep shearing, which is always popular with town and country visitors. The shearing competitions will be run in four sections starting at 10 a.m. with first prizes of open grade, $100; senior,

$75; intermediate, $5O; and junior, $4O. The show boasts one of the strongest photographic sections of country A. and P. shows. This year the photographic classes have drawn 350 entries, from Christchurch as well as from the members of a very enthusiastic local, Amuri Camera Club.

An encouraging aspect is the increasing numbers of prints as against transparencies, said the show secretary, Mr Kelvin Dunbar. ■ - '

A changing trend is evident in the sheep entries, with .a drift away from some of the traditional breeds, said Mr Dunbar. Corriedale entries have maintained their strength, but as an indication of the change the once-popular Rylands and Southdowns are almost out. If the freezing works are operating, a lamb cut competition will be a feature of the show. This is for entries of three lambs with one to have been killed and judged yesterday, with the remaining two lambs of each entry to be judged on the hoof tomorrow. The cuts from the five best sides will be displayed at the show, giving a useful guide to the market requirements.

An exhibition of mohair goats has been arranged by the Canterbury Mohair Breeders’ Association and this may lead to classes for mohairs being added to the show schedule at a suitable time. The entries for tomorrow’s show, with those for last year in brackets, are:— Horses 997 (1075),

sheep 521 (636), wool 42 (38) cattle 16 (18), dogs 19 (20), dog trials 58 (55), goats 24 (31), poultry 41 (39) seeds 43 (41), cooking 107 (116), home industries 72 (83), needlework and handcrafts 151 (105), photography 350 (370), art 12 (12), woodwork 11 (26), wine 20 (26), vegetables 62 (123), fruit and potatoes 18 (35), miscellaneous 19 (26); total 2580 (2875).