But A&P Association secretary Katrina Kelly said the organising committee was just thrilled to have pulled off some form of event at the Covid-19 Red traffic light setting.
"I think the biggest highlight is we actually got to run it," Mrs Kelly said
"And I think people are just really grateful that they had something to go to, because everything else has been cancelled."
The 159th annual show started on Saturday and concluded yesterday afternoon. Most of the planned events had been called off, but the school and horse sections went ahead and were well supported.
There were about 200 horses entered in equestrian events over the weekend, and competitors were in bubbles of 50 horses, each bubble being allocated a separate toilet block. Vaccine passes were required at the gate, and everything was held outside.
Mrs Kelly said she was thrilled to see a local rider celebrate success — Paula Rogers, of Waimate, with her horse Helie, won supreme champion paced and mannered horse and supreme champion ridden horse.
There were about 1300 entries in this year’s school section, all of which were being laid out on display under the grandstand to be judged this week, and prizes would be given out at school assemblies.
Covid-19 restrictions added stress and extra effort before the show, but the response from competitors made it worthwhile, Mrs Kelly said.
"The committee and helpers worked really hard to get it all done — it’s just been positive feedback the whole time, really," she said.
"Everybody stuck to what they were meant to do, so the bubbles and everything went really, really well."
The committee was very grateful still to have the support of the show’s sponsors, despite Covid-19 restrictions ruling out crowds, and everyone was looking forward to the 160th show next year, Mrs Kelly said.
