The A&P Supreme Merino Competition will be held, reeling in some of the country’s finest wool.
Hailed as one of the top prizes in the sheep category, the Merino Stud Breed competition has been consistently held at the Canterbury show in November, but this year it was making its way to Wānaka.
As the Wānaka show grows in size and popularity, it seems to be the best spot for a competition that draws many breeders from across the country.
New Zealand Stud Breeders chairman Simon Paterson said it was time for the competition to move from Canterbury.
"A lot of breeders didn’t support Canterbury ... it was the wrong time of year for us and too difficult to get to."
He said November was a tricky month for breeders with many of their ewes still lambing at that time.
Mr Paterson added that although Wānaka had always hosted a merino competition, the Merino Stud Breed competition had always been the "main show".
In addition to being at a better time of year, the Wānaka show has grown in prestige, making it a prime place for an important prize.
Robbie Gibson, whose grandfather helped start the Wānaka show, has been helping run the merino competition for years and echoed there had been rapid growth over the years.
"It has grown because our main show used to be the Canterbury A&P show," he said.
The supreme competition is set to primarily take place today with some judging also happening tomorrow.
— APL
