Katikati A&P Show Highlights Equestrian, Crafts and Community Spirit

This year's Katikati A&P Show offered a packed programme of activities for all ages, with a wide range of information stalls, local emergency services displays, craft markets, and food and beverage vendors all contributing to the atmosphere. Organisations including the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Tauranga Deaf Society were among those sharing information with the public on the day.

Younger visitors were kept busy with rock climbing, arts and crafts, balloon animals, face-painting, a puppet show, donkey rides, and train and jeep rides. Graeme Hannah from Reptile World brought along some of his cold-blooded friends, while Bex Tasker wowed the crowd with a sheep agility display. There was also a pet lamb competition, highland dancing, bagpipes, and fast and furious woodchopping alongside live music.

The home industries hall was a highlight, showcasing the best in garden produce, baking, flowers, and art — a section that originally gave women and children a place to display the skills they had developed at home. A military vehicle display, classic cars, hot rods, and both new and old farm equipment gleamed in the summer sun.

The equestrian community travelled from near and far to take part in horse flat and show hunter jumping events, with sidesaddle featuring as a speciality class this year. Rebecca Mauger competed with her horse Orion in the sidesaddle events, while one competitor came up with the creative idea of dressing her sheep Pipsqueak as the hunter and herself as the prey — earning second-place ribbons in leading, calling, and best trick.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).