Southern Canterbury A and P Association president Charles
Ruddenklau at his Waimate home. Photo by Sally Rae.
When it comes to family involvement with A and P shows,
it's hard to beat the Ruddenklau family of Waimate.
Charles Ruddenklau is president of the Southern Canterbury A
and P Association which will hold its first show in Waimate
on Saturday and Sunday.
It follows a merger between the former Timaru and Waimate
agricultural and pastoral associations which was completed
earlier this year.
Mr Ruddenklau previously served two stints as president of
the Waimate A and P Association, in the 1970s and 1990s,
following in the footsteps of his father, Arthur, and
grandfather, Henry Ruddenklau. His son, Nick Ruddenklau, was
recently the fourth generation to be president.
Charles Ruddenklau's earliest memory of the show was
competing on a pony. He became involved with the Waimate A
and P Association after leaving school and returning home to
the family farm. The family's Border Leicester sheep stud
"Downlands" was founded in 1900.
This year's show had been "a long time coming" as it was
about four years since a possible merger was first mooted. He
paid credit to both committees, saying they had combined very
well.
The association also runs a Southern Canterbury spring
equestrian show in October, on the old Timaru show date, and
that will continue.
The Timaru association sold its showgrounds, on the northern
side of the city, in 2005, and held its show in Waimate for
the past few years.
Mr Ruddenklau is also involved with the Royal Agricultural
Society of New Zealand Central Districts, the umbrella
organisation for A and P shows in Canterbury, Westland,
Nelson and Marlborough.
He enjoyed the people involved with A and P shows and
believed shows were a "wonderful way to keep town and country
together".
Increased entries had been received this year in the sheep,
dog trial, poultry and goat sections, home industries and
children's classes. An RAS medal will be awarded to the best
poultry exhibit.
Entertainment includes a blokes barbecue cook-off, a
motorcycle trials riding display, the ever-popular and
entertaining pub challenge, a digger competition, stock and
station horse demonstration and the North Otago district
final of The National Bank Young Farmer Contest.
There were also various trade displays, including "excellent
support" from machinery outlets, and the "sideshow alley".
"The show wouldn't be a show if you didn't have sideshow
alley," Mr Ruddenklau said.
The association had a very enthusiastic and hard-working
committee and it was "in good heart". It was fortunate to own
its very attractive grounds, on the outskirts of the town,
which were freehold.
The showgrounds were well used through the year, including
for various equestrian events and as the base for the annual
March Hare motorcycle rally.
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