About 120,000 people are expected at the three-day Royal Show, the country's biggest agricultural and pastoral event, which opened in Christchurch on Wednesday.
About 600 trade exhibitors set up their stands at the Canterbury Agricultural Park, where the show has a semi-permanent home.
Livestock entries are up on last year, with more than 870 cattle entered, almost 3600 horses and about 1100 sheep.
One of the new features is a para-equestrian dressage display by disabled riders.
