Three-times New Zealand horsedrawn ploughing champions Sean Leslie and Kaye Walker, of Middlemarch, guide their Clydesdale horses, Nugget (left) and Anna at Johns Creek near Lake Hawea on Saturday.
Twelve experienced ploughing competitors testing the local pastures were well satisfied with the silty, rock-free loam they worked — and with the view from their tractor cabs, according to organiser John Osborne.
He plans to use feedback from the competition to help promote a Hawea Flat bid
to host the world ploughing championships in 2028 at the site overlooking Lake Hawea.
The Hawea Flat group has until November next year to prepare its proposal to host the event.
Mr Osborne said as well as the horse team, competitors on Saturday used farm, reversible, classic, vintage and two-furrow ploughs.
