However, the most exciting event was the terrier race on Saturday when 20 or so specimens, of widely varying shapes and sizes, raced to catch a dead rabbit tethered to a four-wheeler.
Taking the win was Thomas, a speedy dog who won for the second year in a row.
"I told them, ‘You need to go faster’."
"He wished he could enter, but he’s too big."
Although he was "not clever enough" to enter the agility competition, her daughter, Molly (4), had an entry in a pet rock contest, one of the many children’s activities put on.
North Otago A&P Show committee secretary Katrina Kelly said it had tried to provide a lot of fun and free things for kids to do this year to encourage more families to come along.
Trade space convener Andy Kingan said part of the show’s appeal was its ability to "entertain on the cheap".
Which that is what the crowd wanted.
He said people just enjoyed standing around talking to each other more than anything else.
"It’s more of a meeting place for the community."
Mrs Kelly said, "We’re just an awesome little show to come to."
But it was no little show. This year’s events drew a crowd of more than 3000 people on Saturday.
"We’ll always keep it alive."
The shift to Alert Level 2 yesterday meant only the showjumping events were held.
