Perfect conditions for main show day in Dannevirke

Rowdy was a popular winner of the decorated sheep competition which was held for the first time at the Dannevirke show. He was with owner Zoe Shuker.

After a tricky start to day one of the Dannevirke and Districts A&P Show day two was a real show day in every sense of the word.

Friday's events were hampered by the strong wind that buffeted the district but on Saturday conditions were perfect.

Dannevirke and Districts A&P Association president Brian Beale was pleased how well the day ran.

"It looks like we have a good crowd here although we won't know the final attendance numbers for about a week.

He said overall entries were good.

"It was a tough start to the show on Friday. We lost power in the shearing and the equestrian events were affected.

Takapau rider Kimberley Carrington clears a jump in the Round the Ring event.

Horse events secretary Victoria Martin said the events had to be called off for around three hours because of the wind.

"The format of some of the events had to be changed to fit them in but we finished at about 6pm."

Horse events convener Wendy Collin said entries were up in the showjumping with 584 horses entered and there were a total of 1783 enters as most enter more than one class.

She said there was always a good turnout at the Dannevirke show for a number of reasons.

"They are very nice grounds, it's one of the last qualifying events for Horse of the Year and it's a very horse-friendly show."

Giant bumper balls provided plenty of fun.

Entries in the photographic competition were down but the standard was extremely high, according to convener Roger Burson.

"There weren't so many entries from children this year, but there were a lot of first time entrants."

He said it was the first time that supreme winner Ella Hendy had entered.

Entries in the sheep section were down with 220 entered this year. Last year around 300 were entered.

Waiaruhe farmer David Burn took out the supreme champion sheep with a Texel ewe.

Cattle entries were up with eight in the lifestyle section, 22 beef entries and 10 in the dairy section.

The results of these will be published at a later date.

Rowdy was a popular winner of the decorated sheep competition which was held for the first time at the Dannevirke show. He was with owner Zoe Shuker.

New to the show this year was a decorated sheep competition. Entries were in two sections - decorated pet sheep and shorn sheep.

There were four entries in the decorated pet section which show secretary Chrissie Matthews was a good result for a first time competition and she expected next year there would be more entries. There were no takers in the shorn section.

Winners of the terrier race, second Milly the Mouse with Lenka Fields, Dannevirke A&P Association president Brian Beale, winner Maz owned by Chad Wallace, and third Spencer with owner Erica Hindle.

The terrier race has got to be a highlight of the show.

This year's event attracted 12 entries and after a practice run there were three heats and then a final.

Competition was fierce and the eventual winner was Maz owned by Chad Wallace, with Milly the Mouse owned by Lenka Fields second and Spencer, owned by Erica Hindle third.

Winners of the terrier race, second Milly the Mouse with Lenka Fields, Dannevirke A&P Association president Brian Beale, winner Maz owned by Chad Wallace, and third Spencer with owner Erica Hindle.

The first aiders reported a relatively quiet time. They too were affected by Friday's strong wind as the were unable to pitch their tent.

They also had to deal with an injury caused by the wind. A pole from a jump was blown off its stand and hit a rider on the back of the head. She was taken away by ambulance.

Other injuries included sprains, mild heat stroke and a ankle that had been stood on by a horse.

It was a quiet start to the regular Country Carnival market that was incorporated into the show for the first time.