Competitions
Thank you for visiting the Competitions section of the Maitland Show.
We accept online entries via ShowDay Online for most of our competitions, using a debit or credit card for payment. Entries will open early December.
Amateur Photography Competition
Our Amateur photography competition is open to all amateur photographers with a range of classes including landscapes, flora & fauna, action, people, Maitland, our Show theme – Celebrating our Youth and Black & White photography.
Prizes for Champion & Reserve Champions
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Entries open early December & close 9th February 2024
Cattle Clinic & Stud Beef Competition
A. Ball Memorial Cattle Clinic
As part of the Beef Cattle program at the Maitland Show a Cattle Clinic will again be conducted on Friday 16th February 2024. The Cattle Clinic is open to students 8 – 18 years attending School or College and other interested parties.
Please note that age for student competitors is as at the date of judging, i.e 16th February 2024.
Stud Beef
In a true display of bringing the country to the city, stud beef cattle will descend on the Maitland Showground in a quest to be judged as the 2023 Champion.
The stud beef cows, calves, heifers and bulls from a range of breeds will be judged on Saturday 17th February 2024. They will first line up under the judges eye in their respective breed and age classes. Then the interbreed classes will follow in the process of awarding the Champion ribbons.
A highlight of the Beef Cattle judging is the Stud Beef Champion of Champions where the best beast of show is crowned. The cattle on display will be of high quality and in show condition.
Entries open early December & Close Saturday 10th February 2024
Schedule coming soon
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Cattle Clinic Schedule
Stud Beef Schedule
Cattle Clinic Program Timetable
HAZAN
Cooking Competition
Congratulations to Junior Nate Pugh-Morelli for his excellent result in the Junior sections of the 2023 Cookery Schedule.
In 2024 an invitation is extended to all to watch the judging of the Cookery Schedule. You will be surprised at the tips you will pick up to help you in the future. Judging will take place on Thursday 15th February, starting at 10.30 am.
The 2024 Cooking Schedule is sponsored by Brancourts. The recipes using their products have been extended to include a chance for your creativity to excel.
The challenge for Juniors to ‘Celebrate our Youth” is to create the ‘best ever’ Chocolate Cake. A chance for their skills to excel.
Maitland CWA has put together interesting recipes in their challenge for you to have a go toppling the CWA cooking experts. A challenge Nate took on and won.
Morpeth CWA is sponsoring the Junior Section of the Cooking Schedule and has some very yummy recipes to inspire our younger cooks to have a go.
The schedule has been extended to include a Men’s ONLY Section so the challenge is out for men to prove their expertise as cooks, in both the Baking and Preserves section.
Entries close Thursday 8th February 2024
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Sponsored by: Brancourts
Dog Section
Donkey Competition
Our 2024 Maitland Show will have TALLEST DONKEY IN MAITLAND. Visit the donkey section to meet the gentle giant ‘Polo’. He will be presented before the judge and participating in the obstacle course events.
All youth welcome to participate in the Giddy-up gymkhana with a chance to win a ribbon. Every entrant will be supervised by an experienced donkey handler. Join the fun- all welcome!
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Entries open early December & close 9th February 2024
Boer Goats
Boer goats are meat goats and were imported into Australia from South Africa.
Australia produces over 50% of the world’s goat meat exports and the numbers of Boer goats in Australia continues to rise as farmers turn to goat meat production as a profitable alternative enterprise. In fact, Australia is the biggest producer of goats meat in the world and it consumes the least amount of goats meat.
There will be some magnificent Boer goats on display at this year’s Maitland Show, all vying for the converted ‘Best Boer Goat Exhibit’ ribbon.
Please note that age for junior competitors is as at the date of judging, i.e 17th February 2024.
Dairy Goats
Dairy Goats are goats that produce large quantities of milk. On average they produce 4 to 5 litres per day for around 10 months of the year. There are 7 breeds of dairy goats in Australia; Saanen, Toggenburg, British Alpine, Anglo Nubian, Australian Melaan, Australian Brown and the new kids on the block, the La Mancha recently imported from the USA.
Dairy goats are judges for their conformation and breed characteristics according to the breed standard for each breed.
The judging will commence with each breed of the senior does, then the udder classes where just the udder of the doe is judged. We then move to the junior breed classes for does aged over 1 year and under 2 years of age.
Then it the kids turn who are all under 1 year old. These class have a ‘cute’ factor and are crowd favourites.
The ultimate prize is the Best Exhibit trophy which is judged from the Grand Champion Doe and Grand Champion Buck.
Please note that age for junior competitors is as at the date of judging, i.e 17th February 2024.
Boer Goat Schedule coming soon.
Dairy Goat Schedule coming soon.
National Goat Health Declaration
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Entries open early December & close 13th February 2024
Handcraft Competition
The Handcraft Competition, formerly Homecraft Competition includes the following sections for 2024
Feature Section Teapot Cosy
Embroidery
Machine Sewing
Patchwork, Applique, Quilting
Knitting
Crotchet
General Handcraft – Dolls/Bears, Recycle Article
Junior Handcraft
Retirement Village, Nursing Homes, Daycare Centres & those over 70
People with Disabilities
Porcelain Painting
Spinning & Weaving
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Entries open early December & close 5th February 2024
Honey Competition
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Entries open early December & close 9th February 2024
Horse Riding Competition
ALL BREEDS CATERED FOR
Horse Events are running Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Please note that age for junior competitors is as at the date of judging.
Horse schedule coming soon
ASC Multi Purpose Individual Waiver
HRA&HA Horse Section Regulations
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Entries open early December & close 9th February 2024
Horticulture Competition
Gardening enthusiasts love the horticulture competition and displays at the Maitland Show. Horticulture has played an important role in the Maitland District since it was first settled and has been a constant feature of the Maitland Show since 1840. The eye-catching stands are one of the key attractions of the McDonald Pavilion, individuals, community groups, clubs and associations all contributing to a wonderful array of colour and floral beauty. Features of excellent displays typically include healthy plants, unusual plants or unusually good specimens of common species and a wide array of examples in specialist group displays.
Online entries open mid December 2023 at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Lego Competition
Lego Schedule coming soon
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Entries open early December & close xx February 2024
Poultry Competition
The Poultry Competition is a long standing attraction and is very popular with children and people of all ages. The variety of poultry on display will be extensive. Judging of the high-flying competition takes place during the Show.
When you visit the Poultry Pavilion, check out the pigeon display next door in the Pigeon Pavilion.
Online entries open early December and close 12th February 2024
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Scarecrow Competition
Scarecrows have long been used in the plant world to ward off unwanted animals from crops as a natural pest control.
Bring your children’s young minds together to design and build a Scarecrow for display in the Horticulture Pavilion at the Show.
Entry is free for all and prizes for the winners.
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Entries open early December & close xx February 2024
Each section is judged in the following age groups:
- Under 5 years
- 5 years to 9 years
- 10 years to 17 years
Conditions of Entry
- All scarecrows must be free standing
- All scarecrows must be no more than 2 metres tall and/or wide.
- Scarecrows are to be delivered assembled. Please make sure all parts are securely attached.
- Scarecrows may be embellished with props and/or accessories.
- All entries are to be clearly labelled with the Scarecrow’s name, the School Name and Class and are to be accompanied by an Entry Form
- Scarecrows are to be delivered to:
Schoolies
On Friday 16th February, free admittance is offered to school groups between 10am and 2pm who have accepted the HRA&HA’s school invitation.
There will be horse and cattle events, displays of farm animals, poultry, pigeons, art, photography, horticulture and home craft exhibits among others, as well as the scarecrow competition.
There are plenty of competitions for school students to enter, including:
Amateur Photography
Cattle Clinic
Cooking
Handcraft
Horticulture
Scarecrow Competition
Woodwork
Woodchop Schedule
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