Perfect weather for A&P show day

A balmy day warmed the mood of thousands of visitors drawn to the annual Otago Taieri A&P Show on Saturday.

Held at the society showgrounds in Mosgiel, the Otago Taieri A&P Show included equestrian events, dog trials, displays of farm animals and pets, top woodchoppers in action, excavators, music and food.

Otago Taieri A&P show secretary Cate Edgler said the weather had improved on last year and that made for a perfect day out.

"It’s a great day out for the community to enjoy."

Enjoying her day was axewoman Sally Harrison, who participated in the woodchopping competition at the show.

The Dunedin woman was one of 17 woodchoppers competing.

She has been chopping wood for two years as part of the Otago Axemen’s Club, alongside her job as an engineer at Macraes Mine.

"I love it.

"It’s really good fitness, good for your stress levels and there are great people involved."

She participated in the underhand chop, which involved standing on a log and chopping from above.

Miss Harrison said she had grown up in Tokora and had been involved at sawing competitions while at high school.

"I loved that, so when the opportunity came up to get back into it I jumped on it."

While still "relatively new" to the sport, Miss Harrison was

looking forward to attending the South Island Woodchopping Championships in several weeks.