Pressure on to win back Secretary’s Plate
THE Mt Benger A&P Society’s Home Industries pavilion competitors are encouraged to up their game after losing the Secretary’s Plate to the equestrian sector last year.
Show secretary Dinah Wales said the plate was traditionally awarded to the competitor who won the most points overall from categories entered in any section of the show. It had most often gone to someone taking part in the Home Industries sections, but last year, in a shock result, it was awarded to an equestrian competitor.
She has heard whisperings that Home Industries competitors want to take the plate back and they are encouraged to enter as many sections as they can to earn the points needed to claim the honour. Mrs Wales said this year’s show, at the Roxburgh Racecourse on February 20, would have a few minor changes in its offerings.
One that will attract a lot of interest is the new competition that sees the top champion horse, pony, ram and ewe compete for the supreme champion title. Children can enter their dogs, cats, and ‘‘other’’ animals in the pet competition and parade. There are sections for big and little dogs, and a couple of years ago the ‘‘Other’’ animal section was split into two, comprising the ‘‘Big Other’’ and ‘‘Small Other’’ classes.
‘‘We introduced those two sections as it is hard to judge a goat against a goldfish.’’ The equestrian section is proving just as popular as in previous years.
‘‘We have dropped it back to one day after being two for the past four years. However, to accommodate the number of show jumping entries, organisers will run two rings, rather than the single one.’’
The section usually attracts about 70 to 80 riders and between 110 and 120 horses. In addition to the ‘‘round the ring’’ jumping events, they will also run a ‘‘steady hand’’ jump class, where riders try to keep a full glass of water intact while their horses are on the move.
‘‘The racecourse’s Ringside Lounge was a great place to relax in a comfy chair with a Pimms or some strawberries and cream, and enjoy ringside views of the equestrian action,’’ Mrs Wales said.
Farmers can enter their fleeces and sheep in the livestock section.
‘‘It is well patronised and our claim to fame a few years ago was when Greg Paterson scored 100 points out of a possible 100 for his fleece. Since then our entries have been quite solid.’’
Mrs Wales suspects other farmers want to see if they can earn a similar perfect score. They are also invited to enter a gift lamb, which will be judged and then donated to the show committee. The lambs are then sent to the works and the money raised goes to the society. In the Home Industries Pavilion, where hopefully the fight for points will rise to a new level, competitors can enter baking, crafts, vegetables, flowers, photography, and children’s art.
Towards the end of the day, about 5pm in the Ringside Lounge, Mark Reid will auction off uncollected entries from the pavilion, including baking and vegetables. Children’s free activities include face painting, a bouncy castle, the Big Dig and the merrygo round. There are also food and craft stalls. Bucky the Mechanical Bucking Bull is a new attraction for people who want to see if they can stay on board. The Teviot Valley Young Farmers Club members will use it as part of their Agrisport competition from 1pm to 2pm.
Later there is the bucking High School Challenge for year 9 to 13 pupils from 3pm to 4pm, and they can enter on the day. A $250 prize will each go to the boy and girl in that age group who can stay on the longest. The public can also have a go from 4pm to 5pm.
Artist Suzanne Emslie, of Dunedin, will be holding a stone sculpting workshop and has space for 10 people. It will cost $60 for teenagers and $100 for adults and bookings are essential on suzanneemslie@hotmail.com