SPORTS DAY: Keeping the tradition going

FAMILY SPORTS: Kate Waldin with daughters Zara (left) with Kaycee Comet, and Milly with McCumhalls Ashford. They’ll all be at Euchre Flat on October 2 for the Tukituki Sports, in which at least three generations of Mrs Waldin’s family have competed over the years. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

Hundreds of Hawke's Bay farming families have taken part in the annual country sports - a backbone of rural life in the region.

It would be a dream to return to the good old days, but maintaining the tradition are Dirk and Kate Waldin and their family as they prepare for the annual Tukituki Sports at Euchre Flat in 10 days time, on October 2.

Mr Waldin's the chairman, and his wife and daughters Zara, 14, and 11-year-old twins Milly and Tessa are competing.

The daughters are at least the third generation of Mrs Waldin's family to compete in the day which is confined to equestrian events, although like others it once included other rural events such as sheep dog trials.

Mr Waldin says the club would love to be able to return to some of the good old days with the wider attractions of horse sport and the big picnic day that surrounded them, and is comfortably placed generally to have a particular appeal on the calendar - about 15 minutes from Havelock North on Kahuranaki Rd and being just three weeks before the Hawke's Bay Show.

The sports have at least nine trophies presented by families and local landowners who have taken part over the years, and have good sponsorship support, especially from Tukituki catchment specialists Bayleys, but Mr Waldin says that without the large staff once carried by stations in the area there is no longer the infrastructure needed to cross the spectrum of events that were once involved in the sports days throughout the country.

Many also included such things as running races, and novelty events such as the egg and spoon race.

Many have survived as single sport's days, as horse events, as sheep dog trials or as shearing events.

At the Tukituki Sports, events cater for all ages, including a kindergarten ring of the type where most New Zealand equestrian stars cut their teeth in horse sports, including Olympic medallists.
Mr Waldin expects about 50 riders, with the Sunday event starting at 9am.