The Central Hawke's Bay A&P Society will get to know next week what success it has had with a move that sees its annual show taking place just a fortnight after the Hawke's Bay Show.
The two shows have usually been separated by three weeks, with the Wairarapa and Manawatushows in-between. This year's calendar means the three-day CHB, which starts in Waipukurau next Thursday, avoids some of the clashes of the past, including the much bigger Canterbury Show in Christchurch. The impacts can vary from year to year, but the CHB show, with a history dating back over a century, maintains a uniqueness in the modern era, particularly with its sheep classes.
Some shows have done away with sheep classes, but CHB had over 500 stock last year and sheep section co-ordinator Patrick Worsnop hopes similar numbers will be in the yards again.
About 30 sheep classes are up for decision, with 10-15 breeds at the show, for such competitions as the Zoetis black and coloured section, the PGG Wrightson maternal classes, and the Bushett's Transport terminal classes.
In keeping with the Lamb Country theme at one stage adopted by the area, there are also pet lamb and calf competitions and junior judging for the younger showgoers, while the wool room, run by Mr Worsnop's father, Bruce, is expected to have 40-50 fleeces, as well as its unique hogget clip exhibits.
All three days have a particularly busy horse and pony programme, but special features of the show are its Friday-night bull riding, and the shearing championships on the Saturday, expected to attract most of the North Island's top shearers and woolhandlers.
