Dannevirke A P show 'one of the best' | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

The President of the Dannevirke and Districts A&P; Show is delighted with the support the 102nd show received.

"I'm rapt. The takings were up and all the sections were exceptionally well supported and everyone seems very happy," Brian Beale told the Dannevirke News on Saturday afternoon.

On Friday night the gate takings were nearly double that of the previous year, Mr Beale said.

"I was on the gate and people were queuing up to buy tickets to get into the amusements and arcades. It was marvellous. I reckon John Mahon (Mahon's Amusements) will have been very happy," he said. "For the Friday show our gate takings were also up and indications are that we're up again for Saturday, traditionally people's day."

Mr Beale said the comments he'd heard around the showgrounds on Saturday were all very favourable and he was thrilled.

Dannevirke Lions Club member, Dave Murdoch, was on the gate at the tramway entrance to the showgrounds and was "flat tack" all day.

"The vehicles just didn't stop coming," he said.

Show secretary, Elaine Teahan said she believed this year's show was "one of the best".

"It was brilliant. There were people everywhere and sections such as the home industries had huge entries," she said.

Support for the A&P; Association is building, with one new show day helper, Janette Murphy of Otope, keen to do something to ensure the survival of the event.

Janette was on smoko duty for the judges in the three equestrian arenas and loved every moment.

"It's about doing something for the community, everybody does their bit. I've got friends - the Thorburn's and Lansdown's - who are involved with the show, so I was happy to help where I could," she said. "I think the smoko job will be mine now for a while and I'm doing my bit just to make sure our show keeps going. I think that's why we all do it."

And while early day two on Saturday was chilly at the showgrounds, with people snuggled into jackets and tucking into bacon and egg sandwiches, the day heated up, as did the competition in the rings and at the terrier racing. Excited dogs and handlers entertained the big crowd which gathered in front of the grandstand for the hilarious antics before, during and after the dog races.

One show veteran was seeing events from a different angle this year, however. Equestrian Doug Isaacson of Dannevirke wasn't striding courses and jumping his mount over fences, instead he had two feet firmly planted on the ground.

"My horse is lame so I'm sitting this show out. But I'll be back in the saddle at the Masterton show and hope to be ready for the Horse of the Year in March in Hastings," Isaacson said.