Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Collection
Linked To
Copyright

This licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.
Menu
- People
- Places
- Themes
- Surprise Me
Agricultural & Pastoral shows
Description
NameAgricultural & Pastoral showsAlternative NameA&P ShowsDescriptionIn 1863, local farmers set up the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association to support the farming community's work. One way was to organise rural shows - opportunities to showcase farmers' achievements with animals, practice and produce, and for town and country people to gather for an entertaining day out.
For over a century, generations of families have proudly displayed their farm animals, crops and domestic crafts. Their livestock looking just right for competition on the big day. Tails are washed and hooves are polished in anticipation of a prize.
From serious breeders competing for top livestock prizes, to neighbourhood rivalry for the best pet bantam or lamb. Competition runs strong for the best hand knitting, home cooking and other produce. There’s plenty of entertainment, with shearing, wood chopping and horse riding. Years past, Captain MacFarlane and his well-trained menagerie of monkeys, dogs and ponies were a huge attraction.
In the days before tractors, the Ellesmere show would run a ‘Ploughing Match’ with competing Draught Horses (see image). It was a sight to behold as one spectator recalled back in 1924.
“The teams, mostly Clydesdales, are beautifully groomed, with be-ribboned manes and tails, well-polished harness and sparkling nickel plate.”
Over the years, show days have been made or marred by the weather, but mostly the show goes on. In 1971, it wasn’t floodwater which caused big problems but obnoxious odours from effluent ponds on a poultry farm!
Family involvement through four and five generations are commonplace. The Doyle family have an impressive record at the Ellesmere A & P show. J.H Doyle entered in the light horse and hunter section at the 1870 show at Southbridge and Doyle descendants exhibited in the trotting and packing classes at the 125th show.
Past president W.J Doyle exhibited for over 70 years and records show him first attending in 1916 as a young rider in the pony section. Until his death in 1988 he entered ponies and horses and trotters and pacers year after year.
Getting ready for show day is a highlight for families. In the early days, Mina Hampton (nee Schnelle) remembers her father Henry Schnelle preparing to exhibit his Jersey cattle, Border Leicester sheep, and potatoes.
“Our house was a hive of activity before the show. I remember as a child my mother preparing exhibits for the show, and Dad, I can see him yet getting his potatoes out of the pit, varieties you never hear of today, matching them for size and shape and scrubbing them clean. My sister, Stella and I, had to walk along the rows of mangolds out in the paddock to find the heaviest mangold. When we found it we put up a stick beside it so that Dad didn’t have to go through them all. Then there were cows’ tails to wash and horns and hooves to be polished."
For over a century, generations of families have proudly displayed their farm animals, crops and domestic crafts. Their livestock looking just right for competition on the big day. Tails are washed and hooves are polished in anticipation of a prize.
From serious breeders competing for top livestock prizes, to neighbourhood rivalry for the best pet bantam or lamb. Competition runs strong for the best hand knitting, home cooking and other produce. There’s plenty of entertainment, with shearing, wood chopping and horse riding. Years past, Captain MacFarlane and his well-trained menagerie of monkeys, dogs and ponies were a huge attraction.
In the days before tractors, the Ellesmere show would run a ‘Ploughing Match’ with competing Draught Horses (see image). It was a sight to behold as one spectator recalled back in 1924.
“The teams, mostly Clydesdales, are beautifully groomed, with be-ribboned manes and tails, well-polished harness and sparkling nickel plate.”
Over the years, show days have been made or marred by the weather, but mostly the show goes on. In 1971, it wasn’t floodwater which caused big problems but obnoxious odours from effluent ponds on a poultry farm!
Family involvement through four and five generations are commonplace. The Doyle family have an impressive record at the Ellesmere A & P show. J.H Doyle entered in the light horse and hunter section at the 1870 show at Southbridge and Doyle descendants exhibited in the trotting and packing classes at the 125th show.
Past president W.J Doyle exhibited for over 70 years and records show him first attending in 1916 as a young rider in the pony section. Until his death in 1988 he entered ponies and horses and trotters and pacers year after year.
Getting ready for show day is a highlight for families. In the early days, Mina Hampton (nee Schnelle) remembers her father Henry Schnelle preparing to exhibit his Jersey cattle, Border Leicester sheep, and potatoes.
“Our house was a hive of activity before the show. I remember as a child my mother preparing exhibits for the show, and Dad, I can see him yet getting his potatoes out of the pit, varieties you never hear of today, matching them for size and shape and scrubbing them clean. My sister, Stella and I, had to walk along the rows of mangolds out in the paddock to find the heaviest mangold. When we found it we put up a stick beside it so that Dad didn’t have to go through them all. Then there were cows’ tails to wash and horns and hooves to be polished."
Collection
Narrative
Connections
CollectionCommunity EventsAgriculture and Farming
Agricultural & Pastoral shows. Selwyn Stories, accessed 17/02/2025, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/3300