Dogs steal the show in Wānaka

Pet parade judge Melissa Jane Thomson (left), of Wanaka, Aiden Oudt (12) from Winton with six...
Pet parade judge Melissa Jane Thomson (left), of Wanaka, Aiden Oudt (12) from Winton with six-year-old dog Bella, judged best in show, and parade marshal Judy Young, of Wanaka. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK
Allan Dippie (left) drove Wanaka Show patrons Peter and Dee Gordon in the Grand Parade. The car...
Allan Dippie (left) drove Wanaka Show patrons Peter and Dee Gordon in the Grand Parade. The car is a 1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK
Anita Stewart (left) and Jackie Walls took part in the Jill and Jill event run by the Southland...
Anita Stewart (left) and Jackie Walls took part in the Jill and Jill event run by the Southland Otago Axemen Club. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK
Wanaka friends Isaac Russell, George Murray, Patrick McKay and Cohenn Lange (all 12) enjoyed the...
Wanaka friends Isaac Russell, George Murray, Patrick McKay and Cohenn Lange (all 12) enjoyed the ODT photography stand. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK
People crowded into the Wanaka Show on Saturday to enjoy a wide range of displays and...
People crowded into the Wanaka Show on Saturday to enjoy a wide range of displays and competitions. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY

Wānaka Show has gone to the dogs, as pooches pulled their best poses, raced about until they got lost in the crowd and eyeballed sheep into a standstill.

The two-day show, which began on Friday, has attracted thousands of people, with sunhats, sunscreen and ice-creams in demand.

Popular events included the pet parade, the Jack Russell race and dog trialling.

Bob McLachlan, of Lake Hawea, with Trek the Jack Russell and daughter Jade after the popular Jack...
Bob McLachlan, of Lake Hawea, with Trek the Jack Russell and daughter Jade after the popular Jack Russell race. Trek came second. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK
Farriers made sparks fly, wood choppers reduced logs to kindling and chips, and eventers put on shows of equestrian grace and athleticism in the main ring.

National Party leader Chris Luxon was on hand to give out prizes and helped push a classic car into the main ring when it seemed it was not going to start.

The show drew the most trade displays ever, according to show president Brenda King.

It was also a fundraiser for those affected by last month's Cyclone Gabrielle in the upper North Island.

One dollar from every ticket sold will be donated directly to affected farming communities, Mrs King said.

The Otago Daily Times also launched the Farmer of the Year competition.

The total visitor numbers have not been tallied but the show usually attracts at least 40,000 people over the two days and is one of the biggest pastoral and agricultural events in the South Island.