"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.
