Leading the grand parade around the ring and then walking the grounds with Netherby School children picking up rubbish on the following Monday typified the community involvement in the Ashburton A&P Show for president, David Bennett.
He paid tribute to association members who had put in long hours over several days to prepare the grounds and plan the show. With the final of the national Meads Cup rugby played on the grounds at Labour Weekend and a two-day showjumping event held the following weekend, pressure was on to have the grounds ready for the show on November 1 and 2, and then cleared, he said.
''On the positive side, the grounds and facilities are there so they might as well be used by the Ashburton community. We have a good relationship with the rugby union.
''With the show being in the middle, there has been no impact on the grounds.''
Fickle spring weather threatened the show briefly on the first day when a storm swept through about 5pm, bringing lightning, thunder and rain, but warm, sunny weather brought the crowds out on the Saturday.
The theme of the show was farming friends, which cast dogs on to centre stage.
The skill of the working dog was evident when teams from New Zealand and Australia fought out a transtasman dog trial. The Australian team pipped New Zealand on the second day and went home with the Wayleggo Cup.
The New Zealand dog trial team had suggested Ashburton should apply to hold the transtasman test again when it returns to the South Island in four years' time, Mr Bennett said.
The normal dog trial section drew big numbers with more than 100 entries.
The intelligence of dogs was further demonstrated at the show when members of the Mid Canterbury Dog Training Club put their pets through various agility courses throughout the two days.
With an overflowing trade exhibit area, good entries in most classes and good attendance, the future looks bright for the Ashburton Show.
- Maureen Bishop
ASHBURTON A&P SHEARS RESULTS
Class 137, PGG Wrightson Junior: Hugh De Lacy 1, Lionel Taumata 2, Alex Smith 3.
Class 138, Tinwald Tavern Intermediate: Cory Smith 1, Joseph Stevens 2, Cory Green 3.
Class 139, Pro-shear Senior: Ethan Pankhurst 1, Jock Barrett 2, Rolan Nesbit 3.
Class 140, Mainland Wool Open: Darrin Forde 1, Tony Costa 2, Kevin Hessell 3.
Class 141, Peter Walsh & Associates Local Open: Grant Smith 1, Tony Costa 2, Norm Harraway 3.
Class 142, Tectra Ltd Open Blades: Brian Thomson 1, Tony Dobbs 2, Billy Michelle 3.