Royal Easter Show Revamp Good News For Breeders

Royal Easter Show Revamp Good News For Breeders, Competitors

Organisers of the Royal Easter Show say recent improvements should make this year�s event bigger and better and should encourage breeders and competitors to take part.

With the redevelopment of the Show�s home the ASB Showgrounds now complete, major changes include livestock taking over the largest and newest pavilion which will now house livestock competitions and the interactive and educational ASB FarmZone.

New Royal Easter Show Coordinator Gaylene Ashton says moving the equestrian events to neighbouring Alexandra Park also means the outdoor arena and grandstand will now be better utilised, with shearing, sheep dog trials and an action-packed schedule of outdoor shows including cowboys and fighting monster machines now taking place on the arena.

Completion of the redevelopment also means visitors to this year�s show will be some of the first to enjoy the spacious new mainstreet, and the newly completed buildings and facilities.

Spread over five days, the livestock competitions will include dairy and beef cattle, sheep, donkey, rabbit, goat, poultry, alpaca and pig sections, with calf club and pet lamb sections for kids.

An expanded equestrian schedule will also include breed classes ranging from Arabians (back again after a hiatus), to Shetland Ponies, to Miniature Horses, with an international showmanship event involving New Zealand, Australian and South African competitors on Easter Monday.

While the first Auckland A&P Show was held 166 years ago, the Royal Easter Show this year marks 21 years of Royal Easter status. In recognition of �its coming of age� says Gaylene, the Royal Agricultural Society will be providing medals and ribbons for all supreme animal winners - �a big drawcard for breeders we would expect� - and as in the past members of the RAS Executive will be attending the show.

Entries for livestock and equestrian events close Friday 27 February. For more information, entry forms and schedules go to www.royaleastershow.co.nz, phone 09 623 7697 or email Gaylene@asbshowgrounds.co.nz

The Royal Easter Show is on from Thursday 9 to Monday 13 April 2009 at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland.

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