Jaydean Washington, of Dunedin, said it was the first time he had entered the harness section and went head to head against his father, Chris.
Both riders wore cheesecutter caps and ties to try to win over judge Adrienne Bishop but Jaydean won the ''paced and mannered'' ribbon on pony Borrowed Thyme.
Mr Washington said age and aesthetics were the reasons for him and his horse Basil winning second place.
''Jaydean is younger and a lot better looking.''
Jaydean enjoyed the harness event because the sulky was softer to sit on than a hard saddle and he found the pony was easier to control.
Jayden was ''pleased'' with outdoing his father but stayed humble, acknowledging his father took home the champion harness ribbon.
As the horses paced, Maniototo Lions Club member Sam Greer worked on the jammed front brake of the Noddy train ''Hootee'', which stopped during a journey around Palmerston Domain and needed to be jacked up on wooden blocks.
Mr Greer, on bended knee, worked on the 1979 train, watched by his grandson Elliot Greer, wife Joyce Greer and club president John Levido.
Children waited patiently for the engineering work to be completed before embarking on the 500m train journey.
Show secretary Maria Barta said she was ''delighted'' with the show and so was everybody else .
''We haven't heard one disgruntled comment. Everybody has been extremely enthusiastic and happy with the event.''
The sunny weather had played a big part in the success, she said.
The exact attendance figures were unavailable but the show had been ''well supported'', she said.
''It has been grand.''
Results
Equestrian: Champion hack: Annabel Girvan (Jive Star), reserve champion: N Lancaster/J De Filippi (Green Supreme); champion park hack: Sarah Lee (Amberleigh Resemblance), reserve champion: Jazz Neilson (Rednalhgih Macintosh); champion hunter: Kelly Hodder (Star Salute), reserve champion: Melissa Hobbs (Legend); champion standardbred: Brenna Cook (Max), reserve champion: Nicole Bungard (Diamond Dreams); supreme hack: Kelly Hodder (Star Salute); champion A pony: Charlotte Waddell (Uptown Charlie Brown), reserve champion: Izzy Roberts (Brooke Fields Panache); champion B pony: Erin Wilson (Jubilee Heavens Above), reserve champion: Pippa Collins (Glencree Copycat); champion C pony: Charlotte Roberts (Tickettyboo Primrose), reserve champion: Pip Eason (Fortification So Ho); champion first ridden: Zara Hodder (Samarkand Pack Chantilly Lace), reserve champion: Briar Duncan (Glendale Noah); champion lead rein pony: Lily Walker (Glendale Marcel), reserve champion: Ryan Gubb (Savacs Little Miss Juliet); supreme pony: Charlotte Waddell (Uptown Charlie Brown); champion pony club: Amy Fraser (Alamo Constance), reserve champion: Alex Black (Give Us A Cuddle); most points pony classes: Pippa Collins (Glencree Copycat); best turned out hack or pony: Charlotte Waddell (Uptown Charlie Brown); best pony rider: Charlotte Waddell (Uptown Charlie Brown); champion inhand hack: Brooke Elliot (Hidden Moments), reserve champion: Louise Skene (Aurelio); champion youngstock inhand hack: Sophie McSkimming (Trevalda Irish Flame), reserve champion: Lorraine Ward Smith (Fernlea Portobello); best presented hack and handler: Sophie McSkimming (Trevalda Irish Flame); champion inhand pony: Ella Walker (Picture Perfect); champion youngstock inhand pony: Isaac family (Island Park Primrose), reserve champion: Isaac family (Island Park Just Cruising); best presented pony and handler: Isaac family (Island Park Just Cruising); supreme led stock: Tina Bungard (Festive Fields Hallelujah); champion adult Welsh: Maygen Gubb (Sunnyridge Oliver Twist), reserve champion: Billie Wilson (Woodrow Ambassador); champion Welsh youngstock: Tina Bungard (Festive Fields Hallelujah), reserve champion: Casey Gubb (Sunnyridge Astralight); best presented Welsh youngstock: Linda McNally (Davlin Pixie Dust); champion adult Shetland pony: Beechgrove Stud (Beechgrove Bella Bird), reserve champion: Shona Cusack (Cotswold Wizard); champion Shetland youngstock: April Buckingham (Toonmals Nordic Storm), reserve champion: Beechgrove Stud/Price family (Beechgrove Slice of Magic); supreme champion Shetland: Beechgrove Stud (Beechgrove Bella Bird); champion harness: Washington family (Jubilee Toy Soldier), reserve champion: Washington family (Borrowed Thyme); champion pleasure riders: Katrina Caley (Milo), reserve champion: Georgina Caley (Annie); round the ring _ novice hack jump: Bridget Collins (Feel Free).
Show Jumping: Champion pony FEI: Erin Wilson (Jubilee Heavens Above); reserve champion pony FEI: Bridget Collins (Mr Spotless); champion hack FEI: Jamie Gillingham (Chocolate Moments); reserve champion hack FEI: Nicola Lancaster (Again).
Sheep: Supreme champion sheep: KM & RJ Dwyer; supreme champion mutton bred sheep: KM & RJ Dwyer; supreme wool bred sheep: Melissa Jones Soper; gift lamb: James Matheson. Fleece: Champion fine wool fleece: Melissa Jones Soper; champion crossbred fleece: Steven Joyce; champion coloured wool fleece: Pip Sanders; most points crossbred fleece: Steven Joyce; supreme champion fleece: Melissa Jones Soper; most points in livestock: Pippa Collins (Glencree Copycat).
Pets: Large pet: Aimee Wilson (Jake); small pet: Meg Wheatley (Willa); terrier race: Rosie Dwyer (Lucy).
Trades: Best trade display: Pivotal Irrigation; best outdoor craft display: Sandra Chapman; best boutique trade display: Ewe R Merino.
Hall: baking: Melissa Jones Soper; cut flowers: Katie Robinson; champion bloom or cluster: Campbell Thomas; vegetables: Angela Butt; handknitting: Robin Mutch; children's section: Pip Eason; senior citizens section: Heather Fisher/Lyn Trusler; wood turning: Ashley Trusler.
Photography: open formal: Tracey Clear; open informal: Sharlene Rae; children's section: Pip Eason.
Vintage Machinery: Best presented small engine: David Blair; best presented tractor: David Blair; best presented farm implement: Graham Catherwood; best presented hand tool: East Otago Vintage Machinery; best presented household memorabilia: Maria Barta.
