The biggest cheer at the A and P Big Town and Country Show Day at Mosgiel on Saturday was reserved for the last event of the day, the novelty sheep race.
Seven sheep from the Maungatua Shanks Stud, complete with their own "jockeys", were released from their pen following the completion of the Grand Parade.
The 150m steeplechase proved too much for one competitor, which, like the form guide suggested, was prone to "ewe turns" and jumped the barrier in a bold bid for freedom.
The other six sheep were determined to prove you couldn't pull the wool over their eyes, and with encouragement from punters (and the occasional sheep pellet), headed towards the finishing line after taking several detours along the way.
And the winner?
Number five, and the one which resembled Baa Baa Black Sheep, ensured its backers were paid $3 on their dollar bet.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Dunedin Central, the event raised $360 which would go towards projects to help children under 5, president Derek King said.
"People really enjoy this, and it offers better returns than finance companies."
Otago-Taieri A and P Show spokeswoman Fiona Smeaton said the hot temperatures meant numbers were slightly down on last year "as people probably opted to go to the beach".
"But we are pleased with the numbers."
Mrs Smeaton said ice-cream vendors experienced a roaring trade compared with their hot-food counterparts.
SHOW RESULTS
• Dairy
- Otago dairy championship: Senior: R. and K. Kelly 1, Kirbydale Farms 2, Instone Family 3. Intermediate: Cummings Family 1, Cummings Family 2, Kirbydale Farms 3. Junior: Kirbydale Farms 1, Kirbydale Farms 2, Kirbydale Farms Hall 3.
• Wool
- Commercial fleece champion: M. Finnie, reserve T. M. Nichol.
• Sheep
- Texel champion: D. and C. Graham.
• Cattle
- Dairy: Holstein Friesian female champion: Talent Cherry Red, R. Kelly/ K. Kailey, reserve Kirbydale Talen Klm, Robert Mears; Junior female champion: Kirbydale Zenith Noir, Kirbydale Farms Ltd; Jersey champion cow or heifer: Carnmor Freds Goldie, Willow Downs Jerseys, reserve Bonacord Farms; All-breeds dairy champion female: Talent Cherry Red, K. Kelly/K. Kailey, reserve Nouveau Leader Hoke, R. and K. Kelly.
- Beef: Champion male: Kilwillie of Middlebank Downs, H. W. Prescott/M. B. Ballagh, reserve Loch Lomond Ted, B. J. Thomson; Beef cattle female champion: Dunrobin Chardonnay, Dunrobin Galloways, reserve Loch Lomond Floss; Beef cattle supreme champion: Margarita of Pottidoon, G. and C. Watts.
• Dairy goats
- Standard age does, Champion Challenge: Lagoon Creek Sybelle, M. Tomes; Best in show: Lagoon Creek Sybelle, M. Tomes; Junior doe champion: Lagoon Creek Fanciful, M. Tomes, reserve Yeisha Queenie, A. Hill; Herd register buck champion: Pukekowhatu Yeltsin, M. Leigh, reserve Osment Maroopna, M. Leigh.
• Equestrian
- Sidesaddle champion: Have a Dabble, S Healey, reserve Koefi, B. Miles; Saddle horses champion: Rock 'n' Rhythm, Harper/Brock, reserve Kelly Browne, C. Jackson; Park hack champion: Sherwood Late Harvest, K. Warrington, reserve Westwood Tussock, G. and V. Fox; Saddle hunter champion: Terrington Diamond, T. Bellamy, reserve Westwood by George, Harland/Fox.
- A ponies champion: Beechcroft Martini, Baynes/Holt, reserve Brookfields Dream Maker, I. Kloogh; B ponies champion: Elmwood Silver Memory, Johnston/Barnes, reserve Gundagai Yarranabbee, A. Tamaheku; C ponies champion: Chattan Nimbus, B. Kennedy, reserve Court Jester, A. Johnston; Hunter ponies champion: Brydon Bewitched, J. R. Wilson, reserve Pepee, K. MacLean; Lead rein champion: Chattan Nimbus, J. Kennedy, reserve Court Jester, J Buist-Brown.
- A miniatures young stock champion: Janarki Show Stopper, R. Rooke, reserve Janarki Show 'n' Tell, A. Hayston; Supreme champion: Janarki Show Stopper, R. Rooke; B miniatures young stock champion: Janarki Show Time, A. Hayston, reserve Maungatua Fire Gem, M. S. and J. B. Miller Supreme champion: Bluegables Monarchs Show-Off, R. Rooke.
- Champion NZ sport horse senior: Dream Girl, M. H. and A. Harper, reserve Springbank Kiss 'n' Tell, E. Sheat; Champion NZ sport horse 1-2-year-old: H. V. Wolfetone, T. Crossan, reserve Rock 'n' Rhythm, A. Harper; Standardbred champion: Westwood High Cullen, Harland/Brook, reserve Westwood Black Bob, Ramsay/Harland;
- Purebred Welsh 3-years-and-over champion: Amberfields Frosty Meadows, Buist/Parker, reserve Sherwoods Mark 2, Stuart family; Purebred Welsh young stock champion: Dragonwyck Miranda, Ritchie/Green, reserve Jubilee True Colours, Ritchie/Green; Welsh pony and cob supreme champion: Dragonwyck Miranda, Ritchie/Green; Welsh Pony and Cob Society NZ rosette: Dragonwyck Miranda, Ritchie/Green; Part-bred Welsh 3-years-and-over champion: Fourwinds Sally, S. Graham; Part-bred Welsh young stock champion: Jubilee Aorangi, Ritchie/Green; Welsh pony champion: Beechcroft Martini, Baynes/Holt, reserve Royal Park Loving Memory, J. R. Wilson; Welsh pony 2-years-and-under champion: Beechcroft Glamour, J. Baynes, reserve Beechcroft I Can Dance, J. Baynes.
- Non-hackney horse or pony champion: Maungatua Steelo, J. Bezett; Arabs led champion: Rayjan Aimee, Rayjan Arabians, reserve Fairview Shaklas Shania, K. Blackwood; Arabs ridden champion: Noble Darley, M Johnston, reserve Highlander Ceallach, D. Riddle; Led ponies junior champion: Beechcroft Glamour, J. Baynes, reserve Beechcroft I Can Dance, J. Baynes; Led ponies senior champion: Beechcroft Martini, Baynes/Holt; reserve Royal Park Loving Memory, J. Wilson; Leaping champion: O'Donogue II, T. McKee, reserve Tower, D. Smith.
