A&P show ‘the Oscars’ for North Otago’s farming community

Some of the award-winning Clydesdale horses make their way around the showgrounds during the...
Some of the award-winning Clydesdale horses make their way around the showgrounds during the Grand Parade. PHOTOS: NIC DUFF
The terrier race was tight.
The terrier race was tight.
Enjoying an ice cream in the sun at the North Otago A&P Show on Saturday are (from left) Theo...
Enjoying an ice cream in the sun at the North Otago A&P Show on Saturday are (from left) Theo Pine, 8, Grace Taylor, 9, Nico May, 9, Lucie Taylor, 8, Elle Taylor, and Beth Taylor, 11.
Emmett Bungard, 7, of Oamaru shows off his haul from the lolly scramble.
Emmett Bungard, 7, of Oamaru shows off his haul from the lolly scramble.

The North Otago A&P Show has been described as the Oscars for farmers.

The 162nd edition of the show was held in Oamaru on Saturday.

A&P association secretary Catherine Gardner said it was an opportunity for farmers to show off their hard work.

"It’s their moment, it’s like their Oscars, if you like, where they’ve gone, ‘This is how I am as a farmer and now let me show you how good my animals are’."

She estimated between 3000 and 4000 people attended the show.

Dr Gardner was determined to make the show a success in her first year as secretary, not only for the volunteers who tirelessly worked behind the scenes, but to also honour the legacy of former secretary Katrina Kelly, who died last year.

In her memory, they introduced the Katrina Kelly Memorial Award for the judge’s choice class of their three equestrian "have a go" days.

"I never knew Katrina but I feel there was such a legacy for her, so I just wanted to make sure it went well for her.

"It was really important for us to get exactly the right trophy for her family."

Zoe Holloway of Timaru was the inaugural winner.

Alongside the competitions there was live music throughout as well as food trucks, ice creams, carnival games and other agrarian stalls run by businesses and organisations.

nic.duff@odt.co.nz