Competitors and spectators enjoy Duvauchelle show

Katie Boakes (19, left), of Ohoka (near Rangiora), and her mount Pops, catches up with Taylah Dolan (13), of Loburn (near Rangiora), and her horse Mickey. Photos: David Hill

Lizzie Wright (11), of Little River, and her horse Wombat are ready to compete in the jumping competition.

Niamh Shaw (12, left), of Takamatua (near Akaroa) and her dog Muffin and India Phillips (12), of Tai Tapu (near Lincoln), and her dog Tinker wait to compete in the popular terrier race.

Charlie Vincent (3), of Christchurch, smells the cut flowers in the produce shed.

Anne Zwart, of Robinsons Bay (near Akaroa), and her dog Ted claimed bragging rights in winning the popular terrier race. While Ted was not first across the line, Mrs Zwart said it was ‘‘the grabbing of the dog, that’s the key’’.

The finalists await the starter’s orders from show president Tania Kiely before the junior hobby horse final.

Horse convener Keith Vogan (left), of Duvauchelle, chats to lone piper Glen Vickery, of the Ellesmere Highland Pipe Band, before the grand parade. Mr Vogan was convening the horse section for the 41st and last time.

Georgia (11, left) and Will Vogan (9), of Duvauchelle, lead their pet lambs and dog during the grand parade.

People flocked to New Zealand’s most scenic showgrounds for the Duvauchelle A&P Show on Saturday.

The annual show was first held in the Akaroa Harbour area, Banks Peninsula, 151 years ago, and this year’s popular attractions included the terrier race, hobby horse races, speed shearing and the main horse events.

Show president Tania Kiely said it was ‘‘a mammoth task’’ for the small community to put together the annual country show.

She paid tribute to horse convener Keith Vogan, who stepped down after 41 years of running the horse section, noting his successor ‘‘will have big shoes to fill’’.

Ms Kiely said she had been involved in the show since childhood, and for her the show was about the people who kept coming back each year.

‘‘These are our people who make up the peninsula community and further afield.’’ Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel was on hand to present show stalwart and Banks Peninsula farmer Paul de Latour with the annual Banks Peninsula Recognition Award.

-By David Hill

Central Rural Life