A&P Association Welcomes First Woman President

A&P Association Welcomes First Woman President

Nicky Hutchinson has been named as the first woman President in the 153-year history of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association at the Annual General Meeting on 1 April at Riccarton Park Racecourse.

The retired Banks Peninsula sheep and beef farmer was confirmed as the President for the 2015 Canterbury A&P Show in front of outgoing President Richard Parkes and Association Members.

“It’s an honour to be President and to be adding another rung to the ladder of this historic Show as the first woman President of the Association. I feel very humbled to have my name listed alongside the great names of previous men who had a vision for the Show so many years ago and the more recent Presidents that have helped the Show become such a success” said Mrs Hutchinson.

Mrs Hutchinson’s involvement with the Canterbury A&P Show began in the early 1960’s when she first competed in the equestrian section. Making the journey from Rakaia Gorge’s Double Hill Station to Chirstchurch, wasn’t an easy one but it was one that paid off over the years: Mrs Hutchinson won many awards through the 1960s and 1970s including the prestigious Bethell Challenge Salver, New Zealand Hack of the Year and Lady’s Hack of the Year Championship.

As well as competing, Mrs Hutchinson has invested a lot of time volunteering for the Association in many different roles including judge, steward, Horse Committee Chairperson, General Committee Member and as the first woman Ringmaster. She is also involved with the Royal Agricultural Society as the National Judges Convenor and the Little River A&P Show as a past President.

Mrs Hutchinson’s tenure as President follows in the footsteps of her Uncle Jimmy Ensor who was President in 1973 and it’s those sorts of family connections that she cherishes.

“The Canterbury A&P Show operates like a very large family and it’s wonderful to see the number of younger family members and their friends who are also becoming involved in the Association along with their parents. I have immensely enjoyed seeing my children and grandchildren become involved in A&P Shows too.”

Mrs Hutchinson agreed that young people are the future of the A&P Show and stressed the importance of encouraging and supporting their participation. She said that Showing and volunteering presents many career and personal development opportunities for youth.

“The best way to learn about working as a team is to be part of one and to be working alongside so many knowledgeable stockmen and women is a great way for youth to learn about Showing and stockmanship as well as recognising excellence in the breeding and presentation of stock.”

Mrs Hutchinson’s has a clear vision for the future of the Show, “I hope that the Show continues to be a spectacular event for rural and urban people alike and that we can encourage more overseas visitors to attend. I also look forward to the Canterbury A&P Show one day becoming a Royal Show again – it’s very important that everyone has the opportunity to attend and compete at a Royal Show.”

Also announced at the recent Annual General meeting were Warrick James (Coalgate) as Senior Vice-President and Peter Gilbert (Ashburton) as Junior Vice-President.

The 2015 Canterbury A&P Show will be held Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch. It’s the largest A&P Show in the country attracting 100,000 people, over 6500 livestock, equestrian and feature competition entries and over 500 trade exhibitors.

-ENDS-

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