A and P Show draws large crowd

On a day when the stock-handling skills of country competitors shine, townsfolk also stepped up to show off the skills of their pets at the 73rd Upper Clutha A and P Show on Saturday.

For some, it was even a chance to do their darned best to look just like their pets, with Cromwell youngster Megan Bell (10) earning herself and her pony, Danny, a well-deserved show prize.

The pair proved they were certainly chicken, but far from scared of the rest of the competition in the best-lookalike contest with their winning costumes.

Show comperes, the Topp Twins, were a bundle of energy presenting prizes, keeping the crowd entertained and even chasing down Jack Russells as part of the ever-popular dog race.

Jed, a 14-year-old Jack Russell belonging to Jock Kininmont and Mary Holden, belied his years to win the coveted speediest pooch prize when his tactics of chasing the huntsman's horse rather than the trailing lure paid off.

Outram woman Tania Bellamy's steed, Terrington Diamond, was named the show's grand champion hack, while Glendhu Bay farmer Don McRae, of Alpha Burn Station, won the Willis Scaife memorial trophy for the second time when his partnership with border collie Queen triumphed in the dog trials.

The mix of agricultural, the 350 trade exhibits and novelty events at the show proved to be a popular drawcard with about 9,500 tickets sold during its two days.

Upper Clutha A and P Society president Phill Hunt said visitor numbers to the show were "probably double" that of the ticket sales.

The society's membership had increased "substantially" to about 600, while children entered the event free of charge, as did anyone working in trade exhibit stalls, he said.

"It was another extremely successful show. All of the agricultural entries were of their usual high quality," he said.