A&P Show a success

Cameron Duker, three, and his brother Henry, one, from Palmerston North, enjoy their first ride on the barrel train at the show. Photo/Christine McKay

As storms lashed New Zealand Brian Beale was keeping his fingers crossed the 108th Dannevirke and Tararua Districts A&P Show wasn't a washout.

"We haven't had a wet show yet and I hope we don't," he said on Friday morning as the three-day event got underway. And although there was one shower late Saturday morning, Beale got his wish, with fine, cool weather on Friday and Saturday and a perfect day for the last of the equestrian events yesterday.

However, Beale said visitor numbers were down a bit this year, which he puts down to the number of other events on at the weekend.

"But it's been a good show," he said.

And whatever the weather, the show is the chance for people to get together, catch up and have a chat, show stalwart and patron Ian Barnett said.
"I've been coming to the show, showing cattle since I stepped out of school."

Mr Barnett's grandfather, Henry B Stuckey, was the first president of the A&P Association and the longest serving. Mr Barnett followed in his grandfather's and father's footsteps and also served as president of the association.

His wife Pam has also had a lifetime connection with the show, first riding in the equestrian events in 1954.

"The show is about people and it always will be," Mr Barnett said.