Youngsters make mark

THE simplicity of an old engine gets Saddle Hill teenager Max Martin’s motor running.

The 14yearold was the youngest Otago Vintage Machinery Club member at the Otago Taieri A&P Show in Mosgiel at the weekend.

But he was only one of many young people making their mark at the annual agricultural and pastoral show.

Max said he liked to fix things and keep history alive.

The 1928 Anderson engine he had running smoothly for the club was basically a predecessor of a lawnmower engine but was made in Christchurch to run milking pumps for dairy cows, Max said.

And dairy cows were on display at the D.W. Wallace Pavilion, but so were beef cattle.

Outside the pavilion, 11yearold Jake Eden, of Balfour, said he was in

Mosgiel on Saturday to show off his calfhandling skills with his 12monthold South Devon named Nora.

The breed was known as the gentle giants, good for a cuddle ‘‘and for the freezer’’, Jake said.

And another youngster was nearby at the Otago Axemen’s Club timber sports demonstration.

Tahakopa teen Alex Napier (13) showed the adults how to swing an axe.

Alex said he had been competing with an axe for only two months.

‘‘But I’ve been chopping wood my whole life,’’ he said.

Show secretary Cate

Edgeler said there were about 80 stalls at the Taieri showgrounds this year and they were expecting visitor numbers in the thousands.

Saturday morning’s weather, overcast and a little on the cooler side, was perfect summer weather for the animals, she said.

Wanaka singer Jody Direen performed; the Caledonian Society of Otago hosted traditional Scottish athletic events; a big rig truck show, equestrian events and craft market stalls featured; and the Otago Regional Excavator Operator competition hosted a field of 18 competitors.

PHOTOS: GERARD O’BRIEN Leading role . . . Southland’s Jake Eden, of Balfour, steadies a South Devon named Nora at the Taieri A&P showgrounds in Mosgiel on Saturday, while Alex Napier, of Tahakopa, competes during the Otago Axemen’s Club timber sports demonstration and Otago Vintage Machinery Club member Max Martin, of Saddle Hill, makes sure a 1928 Anderson engine runs smoothly.

Winning ways . . . Amanda Campbell, of Alexandra, and her 10yearold pinto Enzo Ferrari celebrate their riding horse reserve champion novice win.

Taking it all in . . . Dunedin truck enthusiast Janine Harman inspects the big gear at the truck show.

Splitting image . . . Darren Falconer, of Dunedin, competes during the Otago Axeman’s Club timber sports demonstration.

Digging it . . . Scarlett Ingram (13) and her cousin Xavier Spinner (4), both of Dunedin, have a go at being excavator operators.

Going round in circles . . . Jakob Brits (9), of Dunedin, enjoys the chairoplanes.

All systems go . . . Ryleigh Makiiti (13), of Dunedin, tosses the caber at the Caledonian Society of Otago events.