Tough test brings Rai grin
BY BLAIR ENSOR
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Blood, sweat and tears were shed at Rai Valley's Carluke Domain on Saturday as hard men and women were brought to their knees by one of the toughest Rai Challenge courses ever.
There was plenty of youthful enthusiasm in the field which featured nine team and four individual entries, but in the end experience shone through at the 76th Rai Valley A & P Show.
Hooked On Boars and Danny Andrews, who took out the teams and individual titles respectively last year, reigned supreme.
President Deidre Prattley's star studded line-up, which featured possum skinning legend Jock "one armed bandit" Vass and Tasman Makos player Andrew Goodman, were underwhelming and finished out of the places.
The Rai Challenge was started seven years ago by Kim Swan and Stephen Bryant, to add a little extra spice to the show.
Competitors shear a sheep, skin a possum and carry a wild boar across an obstacle course.
Mr Bryant said the 300m course, which was changed every year, was particularly daunting this year because the pig to be carried was 15kg heavier than in previous competitions.
Men had to lug a 60kg porker while women took a 35kg specimen. It took a lot of fitness, strength and most importantly a "good heart" to conquer the course this year, Mr Bryant said.
Accomplished pig carrier Caleb Wells was one of many competitors who physically destroyed themselves during the event. No stranger to hunting, Mr Wells said the time constraints were what made the competition very difficult.
Despite being absolutely knackered, he had a blast.
"It was really good fun. It's all about having a laugh," he said.
Despite overcast conditions with intermittent, misty drizzle, up to 4000 people flocked to the annual Rai Valley A & P Show, considered to be a very traditional event on the Marlborough calendar.
Ms Prattley said the 45 trade sites at the event had done wonders in getting people out and about in the damp conditions.
People were also treated to a feast of prime stock which included A & P show favourites: dairy cows, sheep and a large equestrian contingent.
The return of a 1903 Fowler Road Locomotive, which was used to cart timber from Rai Valley to Blenheim early last century was another major attraction.
Owner Rodney Miles from Rangiora, who spent thousands of dollars restoring the piece of machinery to its former glory, said he bought the relic in 1976 because he had a soft spot for "simple" steam power.
"It's preserving a bit of history," he said.
Rai dairy farmer Kerry Robbins, who was revelling in the wet autumn conditions, said he was very impressed with the turnout.
Mating for cows was over and farmers had finished cutting hay and silage so the pressure was off and everyone was there to have a good time, he said.
"It's a real cockies' day out."
- The Marlborough Express
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