North Canterbury News: November 23, 2023

RURAL LIFE
The North Canterbury News, November 23, 2023
Strong NC representation at NZ show
27
By SHELLEY TOPP
North Canterbury had astrong
representation at this year’s New
Zealand Agricultural Show, in
Christchurch, led by Sefton’s Anne
Rogers.
She made history at the show by
becoming only the second woman in 160
years to be president of the Canterbury
A&P Association which runs the historic
event.
Two of her show team members, event
manager Karl Howarth, and Christine
Beaton, are also from North Canterbury.
The popular Kiwi Christmas Cake
competition, which was organised by
Christine, was won by Julie Tapp from
Swannanoa.
In the Wool Zone, Pieta Buist­Sidey, a
14­year­old, sixth generation corriedale
sheep farmer from Hawarden, also
represented North Canterbury in style
with her corriedale ewe and twin lambs,
which won first prize in the Aged
Corriedale Ewe and Lambs category and
Reserve Champion in the Corriedale
Ewe category.
Pieta was presented with the H.C.A.
Sidey Memorial Trophy for her win and
receiving it was incredibly special
because it is her great grandfather's
Memorial Trophy, donated by the Sidey
family in 1961 after Harry Sidey’s death.
Pieta’s family have along tradition
with the corriedale breed.
‘‘My great great great grandfather
James Little bred the first ever
corriedale in 1878. James’s daughter
married aSidey and together they and
each generation thereafter have
continued his legacy with immense
pride,’’ Pieta said.
North Canterbury was also strongly
represented by many other section
competitors and stallholders.
Overall, crowd and competitor
numbers were similar to last year’s
show, but trade exhibitor numbers were
down slightly.
The weather for the three­day show,
which began on Wednesday last week
and ended with the big day out on
Canterbury Anniversary Day, was
mostly good but turned cold later in the
morning on Friday with rain coming on
just after the Grand Parade finished.
New innovations, the Wool Zone and
the Christmas Cake competition had
proved extremely popular, Anne said.
‘‘I would like to think both of these
events will be running again next year.’’
Anne said she was grateful for the
village of volunteers who worked
tirelessly to man another NZ
Agricultural Show, and also ``humbled
by the support Ihave had from the
sections and general committee of the
Canterbury A&P Association’’.
Merino magic ... Sarah Reed, owner of
The Grumpy Merino in Culverden, right,
with `Bub’ Frame, from Waikari, at The
Grumpy Merino stand.
PHOTOS: SHELLEY TOPP
Proud day ... Sixth­generation corriedale sheep farmer Pieta Buist­Sidey, aged 14, of
Hawarden, with her Reserve Champion corriedale ewe and twin lambs (front pen) at the
New Zealand Agricultural Show in Christchurch last week.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Busy day ... Leithfield sheep farmer, Christine Beaton, in the Wool Zone.
Popular attraction ... An equine sculpture
made of horse shoes attracted many
admirers.
Wood work ... Dave and Diane Stevens,
owners of Wood’nSteel, abespoke furniture
and signs business from Tuahiwi.
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