The annual Mid Canterbury Hunting Competition judging is held in Hotel Ashburton’s main car park in the middle of June.  It is a great event attracting keen hunters from Mid Canterbury and the wider Canterbury and West Coast Regions.

Hotel Ashburton provides an ideal venue for the judging and weigh in.  The spacious car parking area allows for the many animal racks, stage and container truck, the weigh station, a safe entrance and exit for vehicles dropping off their animals, a grassed embankment for the popular pig carrying competition for adults and hare for the children, and ample space for various stalls and exhibits to set up.

Hotel Ashburton sets up a fenced outdoor bar and dining area for people to relax in prior to the judging.  A limited range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and this year make your own roast pork roll with brown onion gravy went down a winner.  The bar area generally gets around 100 to 200 people through with the whole day attracting around 400 people.

The weather plays a significant part in the entire competition, with heavy snowfalls and rain affecting the ability of hunters getting into the hills and also the number of people coming to the car park to have a look.

The event is organised by a group of keen local hunters, and 2017 saw the 10th year the competition had been held.  There are numerous sponsors involved every year, providing financial support and a great range of prizes.  Most of the sponsors have been involved from the first competition.  Anyone wanting to get involved as a sponsor for the event should contact Andy Wilson (0274 354 646) and discuss the options.