MacKenzie Highland A&P Show

Alister  McKenzie with Pete at the
MacKenzie Highland Show

Easter Monday has always been a significant day on the family calendar. Dad has been competing in the dog trials now for 67 consecutive years at the MacKenzie Highland A&P Show in Fairlie. We were staying with Mum and Dad over Easter along with Jessica so it was an early start to the day. The lunch had to be made and five us needed to be ready to leave by 8:30am when my brother came to take Mum and Dad. We followed in our vehicle. 

The dog trials always have their own area at any A&P show but fortunately this one is not too far away from the main event. We managed to park on the fence line and were able to watch each competitor and his/her dog match their skill against the sheep. The sheep this year were particularly obnoxious and being most uncooperative with all but the very best of the trialists. 

Dad was competitor no 36 and we had to wait until after lunch to watch his run with Pete. 

We were hoping that the sheep would be more settled but no such luck. Not that Dad was too worried. He loves the outing, and camaraderie and working with his dog.  

   One man and his dog

   against three sheep.

A good few years back he had won a couple of trips up to the Auckland Easter Show to compete with his dogs, and each time he made sure he was back by the Monday to compete at Fairlie.

This year, as he is turning 90 the Association acknowledged his contributions and he got to walk in the Grand Parade with his dog.  A small presentation of a Mackenzie scarf was made and he responded by saying he would be back next year. Watch this space.