The prospect of a full agricultural and pastoral show season without restrictions has more than 90 member shows and their volunteers re-energised and excited, Royal Agricultural Society president Rachel Walker says.
“Everyone is very positive, and we are hearing that numbers of entries in various categories and classes are either well up or satisfactory.
“Our members are excited to be back, and their volunteers are keen to get into it.
“Many of our RAS members haven’t had any events for two years and they are thrilled to be back into action.”
Walker said show societies put on events solely for their communities and are now able to offer categories and events to order, whereas covid restrictions had reduced some shows to competitor-only equestrian and/or livestock events.
“During the covid years some volunteers were not comfortable running a section because of their age and vulnerability.
“Now those sections are able to be offered for competition and displaying rural excellence.”
She expected that smaller district and regional shows would be drawcards for local families who had not attended anything similar for some time.
“For the smaller shows I would be really surprised if communities didn’t get right behind them.
“Shows are the ideal opportunities for people to congregate and meet their neighbours.”
Trade exhibitors and sponsors have responded to the expectation of events with full timetables and bounce-back numbers of attendees.
The first of the bigger regional shows is the Poverty Bay Show in Gisborne, October 13-15, followed by Hawke’s Bay prior to Labour Weekend, Rangiora over that weekend, Ashburton on October 28 and 29, and Waikato and Wairarapa on the same days.
Ashburton A & P Association president Victor Schikker said about 4000 entries have been received and there is provision for entries on the day for dog trialling, pet lambs and some horse events.
Trade participation is still down on pre-covid levels and he thinks it might take a year or two to build up again.
Confidence is high that community interest and attendance will be very good “because we need to celebrate our farmers and their industries”.
Ashburton’s showgrounds are well set up with facilities and, having been leased to the rugby union over winter, the grounds are in excellent condition.
“It has been a cold spring and farm livestock condition is just average, waiting for some heat to get the pasture moving,” said Schikker, a local stock agent and first-generation New Zealander from Dutch parents.
For the past two years the Ashburton Show was a restricted programme of exhibitor-only classes.
Hawke’s Bay Show general manager Elisha Milmine said the 2022 show will be packed with attractions and entertainment.
The list of events includes a virtual beef cattle competition, carriage driving, dairy goats, dog trials, donkeys, dressage, fencing, pigs, poultry, sheep and fleece, shearing, equestrian showing, hunter and jumping, world cup equestrian class, the best of the Bay beef competition and the export lamb competition.
