Blayney show has become one of the last agricultural shows to be held in NSW before the now cancelled Royal Easter Show in Sydney, and it seems that the crowds that poured into the showground on Saturday were there to both support the show, and enjoy what was on offer.
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President of the Blayney Agricultural and Pastoral Association Phil Nankivell jokingly noted that the Blayney Show needed to be renamed, for this year at least.
"We're the new Royal Show of New South Wales," he said.
Treasurer of the Blayney APA Tamara Miller said that crowds were up by eight per cent this year and that there were a number of reasons why.
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"The show had a really jam-packed program on Saturday with the dog high jump and quick shear taking place in the new equestrian and livestock centre," she said.
"Plus once it was known that there were going to be cancellations of many shows the people all came out in support of the show."
The increase in visitor numbers could be a reflection also of the large number of equestrian entries this year, Mrs Miller said.
"There were 180 horses entered into the show which is substantially higher than last year," she said.
"This really was a last chance by exhibitors to show off."
On the day before the show the inaugural training day for students was held and organiser Meagan Dunford said that it was a huge success.
"It went beyond my wildest dreams," she said. "The students were all so engaged throughout the sessions it all went really well."
Over 130 students were divided across different areas of judging and evaluation, including one on public speaking that Ms Dunford held.
"It really is hard work for anyone to get up and speak in front of an audience, let alone a teenager in front of their peers,' she said.
Despite their reluctance to do so, Ms Dunford said that all the students participated.
"A few complained about and one cried at the end, but I made them do it and I'm really proud of the fact they got up and did it," she said.
Ms Dunford said that feedback from both students and other speakers was extremely positive.
"No other shows in the central west run these training sessions and the students were really positive about everything," she said.
"Also the other speakers are all happy to line up and do it all again next year."
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