Ploughing may be at risk of becoming a dying art, but there was plenty of interest shown in the sport at Lake Hāwea yesterday (Saturday August 8), as well as a big announcement.

There were 21 ploughmen (including one female competitor) at the annual Upper Clutha ploughing match - more than double the number of competitors compared with last year’s competition.

This year’s event, which was held on Richard and Sarah Burdon’s land, also attracted a steady stream of onlookers.

“Three weeks ago it was announced we’ll be hosting the 2028 world final right here in Lake Hāwea,” John Osborne of the South Otago Match Ploughing Association told the Wanaka App.

Outstanding in their field: Ian Woolley, John Osborne and Bruce Redmond.

John and other organisers have been working on the bid for two years, and presented a “well organised, well prepared proposal” to international ploughing organisers.

“We’ve got the grounds, we’ve got the facilities,” John said. 

He expects 60 ploughmen from 30 countries to attend the world event, and said attendees are likely to stay in the area for up to a month. The competition itself lasts ten days.

“We’ll need accommodation for 400 people in one place, facilities for about 600 people, and transport,” John said.

“There will be a lot of benefits for the district. There are normally four days of tours, and we’ll showcase all of the touristy things and some of our traditional farming.”

Most ploughing points are awarded for tidiness.

Bruce Redmond of Methven is one of New Zealand’s three former world champs, and has attended seven world champs. He said the Hāwea land is “very, very good” for such an event.

“It looks ideal for ploughing: nice flat ground, very even,” he said.

“Hosting the world event is the pinnacle,” said Ian Woolley of Blenheim, who has attended five world champs. “The last one held in NZ was in 2010, and people are still talking about it.”

This year’s World Champs were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic - the first year missed since 1956.

On Saturday afternoon ploughmen competed in four categories: reversible and conventional, classic, vintage, and horses. Most points are awarded for tidiness, John said. 

“Tidiness, straightness, uniformity - and it’s got to look nice.”

The trademark concentration and attention to detail of ploughmen is likely to be an advantage in planning for the world champs.

“There will be a lot of fundraising. It’s not cheap to run,” John said. “We’ve got the next eight years to set this up.”

PHOTOS: Wanaka App