"Royal Show medals are hard to get and very prestigious, as only one show gets the opportunity each year."
Hudson, a dairy farmer from Ōhau, has been involved with the show for years and said he had been exhibiting since he was five.
"The chance of winning an RAS medal will bring in more competitors, and I am expecting 100-120 cattle to be in to contest the medal from all breeds."
He said the various breeding societies have selected the judges for the event. In Horowhenua's case, the duty judge will come up from Ashburton and other judges will be from Waikato.
"They give us a list of judges to chose from, and we try and pick someone who doesn't have to travel too far."
As chief steward, it will be Hudson's job to oversee the dairy cattle section, make sure all runs smoothly and on-time, and see that no-one breaks the rules. He is hoping to show some of his own cattle, too.
The annual AP&I Show is a unique opportunity for everyone to get to know the farming sector in a safe environment, with dairy, beef cattle, sheep, pigs, and alpacas on show. There will be food trucks, a trade show - where local organisations show what they do - and local bakers, preservers and other craft people will have their own section to compete in.
On Thursday, prior to the show, the horse events start. Wood-chopping and sheep shearing can be enjoyed, as well as dog trials.
There will be entertainment, including music, and the small animal nursery tent is always popular with kids.
Annual membership of the Horowhenua AP&I Show costs $40 for a family of four and includes two adult tickets and two children's tickets to the annual show, plus a car pass for both Saturday and Sunday.
Entry to the show will cost $12 per adult and $5 for kids under 15, while pre-schoolers go in free.
The show will be held on 21 and 22 January at the Levin Show Grounds, Victoria Street, Levin.
For more information, visit: www.levinapishow.co.nz.
