Animals: Country's coming to town - Canterbury A & P Show

- Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 November

Canterbury’s favourite community event has wrapped up for another year after three days of animals, fun and entertainment. The exhibitors are packing up their stalls and the animals are being prepared to head home for a well-earned rest.

Show organisers are waiting to confirm final numbers but despite a colder-than-usual Show Day, they anticipate strong attendance after bumper days on Wednesday and Thursday.

Show Day culminated with the ultimate prize; the Supreme Champion Animal of Show. This year the Champion Beef Cattle Exhibit took out the prestigious award – very fitting in a Royal A&P Beef Cattle Event year. Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel presented the award to The Fisher family for their charolais cow and calf.

A semi-retired couple from Gore took out the Mint Lamb Competition this year with a charolais texel cross. Peter and Corina Morris travelled up to spend a couple of days at the Show and taking out the competition was a nice surprise for the duo.

After entering for the past couple of years, Madison Taylor of Peter Walsh and Associates took out the Heartland Bank Young Auctioneers Competition. The 21-year old from Kurow won a $2000 prize to attend the Sydney Royal Easter Show next year to attend the Australian version of the competition.

The Dakins Ambassador of the Year award went to George and Glenda Climo from the cattle section. The Climos show Murray Grey cattle and have been stewarding at the Show since the early 1980s. The Ambassador of the Year award honours a competitor who has been seen to support the ideals of the Canterbury A&P Association.

The Show Legend Award recognises volunteer effort and was awarded to Peter and Jo Binnie. The couple have been described as the back bone of the dog trial section after many years of going above and beyond to make sure the section runs smoothly.

The Trade Exhibitor of the Year awards were also announced on Wednesday evening with Claas Harvest Centre Canterbury taking out the Supreme Champion title with their site.

The Ballantynes Grand Parade was the final attraction of the event held on Friday, November 11. It was the showcase of the best of the best with prize winners across most livestock and equestrian sections parading their ribbons. The Parade is led by the Canterbury Caledonian Pipe Band.
The weather played spoil-sport though, with attendance not so great on the final day
Showjumping - competitive riding of horses over a course of fences and obstacles, with riders and horses judged on their ability and time
As always, animals were the attraction of the event; seen above are the Ballantynes Clydesdales
Maple Dorpers - a sheep breed known for its self shedding of wool
Sheep maternity ward was a special attraction for children visiting the A and P Show
Rural Police was there too educating people about the law pertaining to firearms in rural areas
Duck herding (above); showcasing farm dogs, which are purpose-bred dogs that are trained to round up stock and shift animals through gates, into pens and onto trucks
Ministry of Primary Industries' stall - while having information on how people can contribute towards protecting the flora and fauna of New Zealand, also educated recent migrants on what items can be brought to the country
An onlooker learns the art of bee-keeping
The best wool in Canterbury; selections for the New Zealand team to participate in next year's World Shearing Championship to be held in Invercargill, also took place during the Show
The most popular sport! International woodchopping competition with Australasia's best descending in Canterbury to demonstrate their skills
Persian rugs added colour to the trade pavilion
Maori crafts by Te Wananga o Aotearoa - a bicultural approach to business
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