Cartoon characters booked for Easter show

New attractions including the characters from the animated film Shrek 2 and the three superhero sisters Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup from the Powerpuff Girls cartoon show will make an appearance at this year's Royal Easter Show, beginning today.

Traditional attractions will also be back, with top grade showjumping returning after a five-year absence.

Teams from France, Holland, Germany and New Zealand will compete in the Nations Cup on Saturday on the new all-weather main arena at the Auckland Showgrounds at Greenlane.

The Grand Prix event, with the second-largest prize pool on the national competition circuit, takes place on Sunday.

As well as the showjumping today through to Sunday, top New Zealand horses, ponies and riders will also compete in the equestrian competition which ends on Tuesday.

The show event manager, Robin Hill, said yesterday the aim of the show was to better last year's record attendance of 70,000 people.

The show had its beginnings 162 years ago as an agricultural event. The first modern-day show was in 1953 and "royal" status was granted in 1987.

"The weather is the key, although probably 90 per of the show is indoors," said Mr Hill.

"It does tend to stop people coming if it's wet."

Other firsts include the Great Northern Sheeplechase, a sheepish take on horse racing in which six pet sheep race each other for the finish line - and some food.

The sheep, named Black Beauty, Lamborghini, Cardigan Bay, Well Fleeced, Yellow Pullover and Red Ram, each have their own colours and jockey - a miniature toy horse.

Top shearers will compete tomorrow and the Weber Brothers Circus will also be back with a new show.

A late confirmation is SpongeBob SquarePants who will meet and greet fans each day.

Entry to the show, on from today until Tuesday, is $30 for a family of five or $15 an adult and $5 a child. Entry is free for children under two.

What's on today

Logan Campbell Centre

Shrek 2 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 8pm.

Powerpuff Girls 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

The Cadbury Great Bunny Show Noon and 3pm.

Michael Jackson Special (Richard Gannaway)7pm.

Circus Marquee, Royal Arena

Weber Brothers Circus 11am, 1.30pm, 4pm and 6.30pm

Royal Arena

Show-jumping 8am to 6pm. A&P competitions start 9am daily