Fe Howie reckons she didn’t say much at Wānaka A&P Show equestrian committee meetings for almost a decade, but after 30 years of such meetings she plays an integral part in preparations for the show at the Wānaka A&P grounds.

Fe laughs now as she tries to recall the date she first attended a committee meeting.

“Ooh, it was back in 1989,” she said. “Someone who we were renting a house from said would I be interested in being the show secretary because they knew I was involved with horses. I said no, I’d be a hopeless secretary, but I’d be happy to come on the equestrian committee as that was my interest and I’d help out at the show.”

After a few meetings Fe realised that at some point everyone on the committee took a turn at being president and she would eventually have to stand up to talk in front of everyone. 

When Fe’s good friend Jane Stalker took over as secretary in 1998, Fe started doing the administration side of the horse entries. She continued in this role while also serving as president of the Upper Clutha A&P Society in 2011/12.

Some 30 years later, Jane is the show manager and Fe the livestock manager and also chief steward of the 12-strong equestrian committee, all helping to get ready for this year’s show on March 10 and 11.

The sheer number of horse and pony classes – 194 in total – is somewhat overwhelming to those outside equestrian sports but to Fe, with her many years of experience and knowledge, that’s just what the show involves.

“Many of our classes are governed by the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand which count towards qualifying for the Horse of the Year show. Our show jumping classes are governed by Equestrian Sports NZ, but outside that we run other classes like the Pony Club classes and some games for kids.”

Fe believes the current mix of classes offers a good balance, including classes just for locals as other A&P shows do.

“There are two events which are particularly prestigious at our show, the Pony Hunter Championship and Hunter Championship which involve qualifying rounds on Friday with the top ten in each competing in Saturday’s final.”

Horse entries have increased this year with 270 ponies and horses entered in the 194 classes. 

“There are always swings and roundabouts in terms of numbers. The basic classes have remained unchanged for many years being part of the Royal Agricultural Society.” 

Around 12 years ago with Wānaka’s hosting of the Royal Event, Fe’s role expanded into livestock manager alongside her equestrian commitments. She processes all entries for cattle, sheep, and boer goats as well as horses. 

The Hereford feature show this year means an impressive line-up of about 100 head of cattle. Merino numbers are particularly strong in the sheep section, and Fe rates 53 entries in the boer goats as “really good”. A lot of fleeces come in on the day, but indications are for an excellent display in that pavilion too.

“I use a specific programme for A&P shows which gives me all the reports I need for judging, assigning yards and so on. I check if pony height certificates or breed registrations are needed, are they entered in the right section or class. Everything gets collated for the catalogue, then I start printing entry sheets for judges and announcers. Each ring – about 18 in total – has a large plastic box into which we put everything they require like trophies, ribbons, prizes, etc.”

When asked how much longer she might continue in these roles for the show, Fe said that she and Jane have literally held each other’s hands since the late ‘90s. 

“We work together really well, and it’s been our baby for a really long time. I’ve always said, when you go, I go, but it’s a situation I’ll have to assess as we go.”

Fe has support in her administration role during the hectic week before the show and during the show itself when she has to be out among entrants and competition rings making sure everything’s as it should be. 

“We would be remiss if we didn’t have someone who knows how to jump in and run the programme. Hopefully this could lead to having someone ready to take over in time.”

Fe’s own links to A&P shows date back to her childhood. 

“I was born and bred on Castle Point Station and competed in A&P shows on my ponies as a child.”

She trained as a laboratory assistant for cancer diagnostics before heading overseas to work as a jillaroo on a big Queensland property and as a stud groom. 

“I went to Massey and studied wool classing, although I never worked as a wool classer because I went back to polo grooming overseas.” 

Then came a period of spending her winters in Wānaka, working as a liftie at Cardrona, then North America winters in Florida as a polo groom. 

“I met Ross (Fe’s husband) here in 1986 and that’s how I ended up staying off the back of ten seasons polo grooming in Australia and the US. I wanted to keep my involvement with horses but didn’t have a horse so offered to help with the local Pony Club and I’ve been involved ever since.”

The Hāwea Wānaka Pony Club is a branch of the Central Otago Pony Club and Fe has been branch president and head coach, as well as the club president and head coach. 

“I continue to coach at the branch here and my daughter Cate went through our local Pony Club too. She still jumps on a horse when she can, but with a young one herself now, it’s not so easy.”

Cate has also been roped into the equestrian committee for the show.

While Fe no longer rides (following a back fusion last year), she and Ross still have horses on their property near Wānaka airport.

The 86th annual Wānaka A&P Show gets underway 8.00am on Friday March 10.

PHOTO: Wānaka App