EQUITANA
When you’re at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, you head for the large Dome to sample fresh produce, check out the District Exhibits display and perhaps even treat yourself to a Coon toastie. But did you know the Dome plays host to a range of other diverse events during the year?
1979 Showgirls
The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition is very different to a typical beauty contest. Contestants are judged on their confidence, life goals, general knowledge, presentation and speech, and also on their knowledge of rural Australia and their local community.
If you’re planning on visiting next year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show, then you’re in for a treat. You’ll be amongst the first people to experience the new, modern Main Arena at Sydney Showground which is currently being transformed into a 25,000 seat world-class stadium.
The new Arena will feature the biggest scoreboard in the southern hemisphere, a vertical garden across the south east of the stand, a BBQ entertaining terrace and improved hospitality facilities.
Selecting Australia’s best agricultural producer is no mean feat. But this is the tough task the judges have as part of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s President’s Medal, an annual award that acknowledges the achievements of our country’s finest food or wine producer.
Holding on to a 1000kg bucking bull for dear life is not everyone’s cup of tea. But for these young cowboys and cowgirls who competed at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in the Young Guns Series, it’s their favourite sport and pastime. The series involved male and female competitors ranging from 14 to 21 years of age, across events including the steer ride, bull ride, saddle-bronc bareback riding, breakaway roping challenge and ladies barrel racing. It was a city vs. country rivalry, with country coming out on top in yellow, taking out the Series.
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That is a very good question. So much effort goes into putting on the Show for 14 days, but what does the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and all the Show family do for the other 50 weeks of the year?
Planning for an event as big as the Sydney Royal Easter Show works on a 24 month cycle. Planning is well advanced for the 2012 Show beginning on April 5 (stick that date on your fridge today). Livestock exhibitors are already thinking about what animals they will begin preparing to bring to the Sydney Royal in 2012, and the folks who put the district exhibits together are already scheming about how they are going to end Northern District’s seven year winning streak.
Polo, invented by the Chinese and the Persians, perfected by the Moguls and discovered by the British in Burma in the 1850s. Played in England, Ireland, Argentina, the US and Australia. And of course, played at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
With 800 exhibitors staying each night, and with many more coming onto the site each day to work with their animals or compete in Show events, feeding the humans is as big a job as feeding the animals. If you are from the bush, chip on a stick, a turkey leg or a dagwood dog is just as tempting as for any city slicker. But after a 14 day Show, and add in a few days to bump in and pack up, the joy of eating Show food is replaced with a yearning for the tucker they cook back home.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show is like a medieval village with animals and people living cheek by jowl on site. About 13,000 animals come through the Showgrounds during the 14 days of the Show. Most of those would spend several nights on site as they acclimatise and are prepared for competition.
Driving a ute is as country as a broad brimmed hat, elastic sided boots and a laconic drawl. The ute (or utility) is a part of rural identity, particularly for young people. A good ute makes a few clear statements.
