When Charles Ruddenklau was a boy, one of the highlights of the A&P Show was climbing aboard his pony Flashlight and joining his mates in the grand parade.
“There was quite a gang of us that had ponies,” Charles remembers. “We used to act the goat a bit.”
One favourite trick was giving the pony alongside a sneaky tap, leaving its young rider wondering why it suddenly wouldn't settle down.
Charles is still involved, as a patron of the show. But this year it will be his grandson Quinn heading into the ring, with his pet lamb entered in the show. It's just one example of something that has been happening at the Waimate Showgrounds for generations.
Children who once entered their ponies, lambs, calves, baking, vegetables or artwork have grown up, brought their own children along and, eventually, watched their grandchildren do the same.
A tradition passed down
Current president John Mehrtens believes those memories are a large part of what keeps A&P shows relevant.
“Anyone that grows up rurally will have memories of their first A&P shows,” he says.
John's family has been involved with the show for years. Now his daughters are making those memories. They have three pet lambs - Tulip, Rosie and Spring - entered in this year’s show, continuing a family tradition of taking part.
He joined the committee nearly a decade ago after members approached the local Young Farmers group looking for people willing to help.
Now in his second year as president, he describes the show as “a bit of an institution”.
The role of an A&P show has inevitably changed over 145 shows. Once, farmers came to see the latest sheep, cattle and machinery. Today, much of that information is only a few clicks away.
But seeing a new tractor or piece of machinery online isn't the same as standing beside it, having a look for yourself and talking to the people who know it.
And the internet certainly hasn't replaced the experience of seeing your child's artwork hanging in the pavilion, or a child proudly showing their grandparents something they've grown, made, baked or raised.
Or taking a day off the farm to wander the trade sites, talk to local businesses and catch up with people you might not otherwise see.
For Charles that connection stretches back even further.
He joined the committee in his early 20s in the mid-1960s and has given more than 60 years of service to the association. He served as president, following in the footsteps of his father Arthur and grandfather Henry. His son Nick later became the fourth generation of the Ruddenklau family to hold the role.
It's a show for everyone
In 2011 the Timaru and Waimate shows amalgamated into the Southern Canterbury A&P Show, now held in Waimate each year.
The theme of this year's show is Rattle Your Dags.
It's a call to get moving, and head to the showgrounds for a day that remains as much about a full day of entertainment and catching up with people as it is about what's being judged in the ring.
It's a great opportunity to experience real rural New Zealand. There will be lots of animals to get up close to, pet lambs and calves, equestrian events and dog trials offering the chance to watch working dogs in action.
Around the grounds there will also be competitions, demonstrations, shopping stalls and trade sites, children's entertainment, food and live music from local band, No Strings Attached.
Riverstone Kitchen's Bevan Smith will return for a live cooking demonstration using local produce, while home bakers can put their best chocolate chip cookies forward in a new competition on the day.
John says the show is a chance for people to catch up with friends and family they might not otherwise see regularly. Even the businesses with trade sites are part of that social side of the day.
“They aren't necessarily there to make sales on the day. They come along to support the show and catch up with their clients.”
That support, from businesses, sponsors, volunteers and the wider community, is what allows the show to continue. Around 20 people are involved with the committee, backed by many more volunteers who help bring the event together.
“The show is well supported by locals and we don't take that for granted,” John says.
For Charles, who received an outstanding service award in 2025 recognising 63 years of involvement, the enduring value of A&P shows has always been their ability to bring different parts of the community together. They are, he says, a “wonderful way to keep town and country together”.
And perhaps that's why, after 145 shows, some things haven't changed all that much.
Charles Ruddenklau with his outstanding service award.
Have a crack
You don't need a prize ram or a perfectly behaved pony to enter the A&P Show.
Got a competitive streak?
Enter your best chocolate chip cookies, photography, art or something you've grown or made. There are plenty of children's classes too. Pick a class, challenge your mates and see how you go! Entries close 26 October.
Southern Canterbury A&P Show
Waimate Showgrounds, 26 Hakataramea Highway, Waimate
Saturday 7 November 2026
9am–5pm