WALKERVILLE SHOW
Good show, despite poor livestock turnout
D
espite the fact that it
was held almost a
month earlier than its
usual calendar slot, this year's
Walkerville Agricultural Show
held last month was deemed
a success by many visitors,
exhibitors and the organisers
alike.
And, for the first time in years
a meaningful if small advance
was made in the field of
equestrian sport, with various
showjumping competitions
held on the second day of the
show, organised by the
Walkerville branch of the SA
Pony Club.
Although the livestock entries
were, again, disappointing this
year, with only a few four-
legged animals on display, the
poultry section and, particu-
larly, the rabbit entries were
bigger and better than before.
And that notwithstanding
complaints by both
poultrymen and rabbit
breeders that the show being
earlier this year meant that
their charges were in the
process of moulting ~ not
ideal for the preparation of
show-quality stock of either
species.
Among the “action” events at
the show was a well-
supported giant pumpkin
competition which the
organisers believe was better-
supported at this year's
earlier show because it thus
avoided a clash with the
Rand Show, Lusitoland and
other Easter-time distractions.
The winner was a 485kg
monster grown by Martie Le
Roux. She is the wife of the
current SA champion
pumpkin grower, Hugo Le
Roux, who last year pro-
duced a 556kg whopper.
Another “action” event was a
chilli-eating contest, and
there were a number of other
competitions and pageants in
which Walkerville residents
were encouraged to partici-
pate.
Entries that could be classified
as “agricultural” were thin on
the ground, however,
certainly as far as agricultural
equipment and machinery
are concerned, reflecting the
Continued on page 13
A creditable effort: Winners of the
junior section of the giant pumpkin
competition were Ruan Maritz and
Johan du Plessis of Pretoria.
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