The Continental Ambassador of the Year Award was created in 1989 to recognise the considerable contribution made by all exhibitors.
The Canterbury A&P Association, with the generous sponsorship of Continental Event Hire present this prestigious award. Chairpersons of principal sections nominate well-respected farmers or competitors that share the Association’s ideals and focus, show continued loyalty to the A&P movement, and are likely to be good ambassadors for the Association.The Judging Panel will announce the winner at a presentation to be made in front of the Bayleys Members' Marquee on Thursday 10 November at 2:40pm during the New Zealand Agricultural Show.
The winner will be awarded travel to the value of $3000 to allow the recipient to visit an international A&P Show, and a Silver Salver, for perpetual competition.
All nominees were winners in their own right, judges had a very difficult time choosing a winner from the high calibre of nominees this year and congratulate and thank you all for your efforts – however only one person can win.
The 2023 Continental Event Hire Ambassador of the Year is awarded to Christina Jordan and Graham Sidey.
Their passion and enthusiasm for the A&P movement makes them an excellent choice for the 2023 Continental Event Hire Ambassador of the Year. Christina and Graham have been supporting the Canterbury A&P Association for over 40 years, with Christina primarily exhibiting Southdown sheep and Graham exhibiting Corridale, South Dorset Downs and Dorset Downs sheep and Graham also having been a competitor in the shearing section and dog trialing. Christina and Graham have also been regular attendees at the Marlborough and Canterbury A&P shows for many years now working as stewards and judges in various sheep sections of The Show. In addition to their outstanding support of the Canterbury A&P Show and also being regular exhibitors at many other A&P Shows in the South Island, both have contributed enormous amounts of their time belonging to a number of A&P Associations including Christina having been a member and Past President of the Marlborough A&P Association and Graham a Committee member and past president of the Hawarden show and also a committee member of the Canterbury A&P Association.
Christina and Graham have also enjoyed great success over the years including Christina winning the All Breeds Meat Breed Pair with her Champion Southdown Ram and Champion Southdown Ewe, and Graham winning many All Breeds awards with his stud sheep.
Past Winners of The Continental Event Hire Ambassador of the Year include:
1989 - David & Janice Sidey - Sheep & Horse
1990 - Bruce & Sandra Miller - Pig
1991 - Judith & Jim Geddes - Dairy Cattle
1992 - Donna & Mike Smith - Horse
1993 - Peter & Eleanor Flemming - Beef Cattle
1994 - Graeme & Alison Stevenson - Sheep
1995 - Alison Sampson - Ponies
1996 - Roger & Estelle James - Beef Cattle
1997 - Bruce & Maureen Fisher - Beef Cattle
1998 - John & Christine Anderson - Sheep
1999 - Libby & Neil Judson - Horse
2000 - David & Sarah Wylie - Sheep
2001 - Bill & Judy Austin - Beef Cattle
2002 - Alisdair & Paula Mclraith - Sheep
2003 - Selwyn & Adrienne Boon - Sheep
2004 - Bill & Francis Gibson - Sheep
2005 - Noel & Merlyn Handley - Shearing
2006 - John & Ann Sidey - Sheep
2007 - Tony & Lorraine Partridge - Cattle
2008 - Jeanette & Robert Brown - Horse
2009 - Dean & Jo Geddes - Dairy Cattle
2010 - Graham & Beverly Black - Sheep
2011 - Kit & Sheryl Johnson - Alpaca
2012 - Tim & Sue Anderson - Sheep
2013 - Judith Johnson - Horse
2014 - Arnold Van Asch - Sheep & Cattle
2015 - Erin Cassie & Colin Drummond - Horse
2016 - George Climo - Cattle
2017 - Andrew & Tracy Paterson - Wool
2018 - Lesley Lewis - Horse
2019 - Mark & Robyn Copland - Sheep
2020 - No award due to COVID-19
2021 - No award due to COVID-19
2022 - Peter & Rhonda Sheriff - Dairy Cattle
2023 - Christina Jordan & Graham Sidey - Sheep
The CAPA Ambassador of the Year is proudly sponsored and brought to the 2023 New Zealand Agricultural Show by Continental Event Hire.