Monday, 16 March 2015 16:01

Big turnout at Wanaka A&P

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Jake Eden, 6, with his South Devon calf Java Jade. (photo by Jodie Rainsford) Jake Eden, 6, with his South Devon calf Java Jade. (photo by Jodie Rainsford)

About 35,000 people attended this year’s Wanaka A&P Show, with organisers thrilled at the large crowds and some record entry numbers.

 The 78th annual two-day show is one of Wanaka’s biggest events and home of the famous national Golden Lamb Awards (aka The Glammies).

Livestock and equestrian competitors, trade exhibitors and public from all over New Zealand come to the Wanaka Show, billed as the second largest A&P show, behind the Canterbury Show.

This year, a record 290 combinations (i.e. one rider on several horses, or one horse with several riders) entered the equestrian competition, up 60 from last year. Sheep entries in the livestock competition were up 60 on last year, to 260.  The total number of trade exhibitors came to 463, up on last year’s record of 418.

Show coordinator Jane Stalker says she is thrilled with the turnout of another successful Wanaka Show.

“The Wanaka Show is, at its heart, a community event that celebrates everything about the agricultural and pastoral industry,” she says. “We have A&P families who have been coming to the Wanaka Show for generations. But we also love catering to the wider public, which is why we place great emphasis on entertaining our visitors. The end result is a hugely popular event – which is why people come from all over to visit the Wanaka Show.”

Owned by the not-for-profit Upper Clutha A&P Society, the show also gives back to the local community. More than $80,000 was given to community groups and organisations following last year’s show.

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