Competitions
Thank you for visiting the Competitions section of the Maitland Show. Our 2025 Competitions will open in 1st December 2024. Competition Schedules will be uploaded in November. Please check back if your Competition isn’t listed. Follow us on Facebook for announcements. https://www.facebook.com/maitlandshowandrodeo
We accept online entries via ShowDay Online for most of our competitions, you can use either debit or credit card for entry fees.
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 – “Love our Show” and Black & White photography.
Prizes for Champion & Reserve Champions
View here for Schedule 2025 Amateur Photography Schedule – Final V1
Entries Open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display
In person entries close Wednesday, 29th January 2025
Online entries close Friday, 31st January 2025
Art Competition
Art Competition – Hunter Portrait and Art Prizes
View here for Schedule 2025 Art Schedule – Final V1
Entries Open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display
Entries close 14th January 2025
Official Opening: Friday 7th February 2025, 6:30pm – Purchase Tickets Soon
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 all independent students.
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 2024 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 Friday 9th February 2024
Enter online at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Stud Beef & Cattle Clinic Entry instructions
- Go to https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
- Click Place an Entry button.
- For Individual click Individual Entry (group entries are not available through Group Entry button. Please Enter as an Individual, then click on Schools Team – Class 504)
- For NEW individuals & Schools – create an account and complete your details, or login with your existing account.
- Click Place an Entry or click on Stud Beef / Cattle Clinic arrow on right.
- Add a new Entrant. Parents can add multiple children in this section.
- Click on Exhibit Type Drop down – Select Horses & Cattle.
- Exhibit Name – add New & enter your Exhibits details. Click edit details to add Animal details.
- Select your Exhibit, then click Select Classes on the right of the screen.
- From the drop down Select Cattle Clinic or Stud Beef Cattle, click I have read & accept the entry notes.
- Press the + button next to the Area you would like to enter, i.e. Stud Beef Cattle.
- Click on the O next to each class you wish to enter.
- Complete the required field for your entries. If you are entering more than 1 animal please put a comma between each entries name, DOB etc.
- For Cattle Clinic – Schools please enter the required information, if you are an individual please enter N/A in the schools fields.
- For Cattle Clinic – in extras please select 1. Cattle Per Student fee for each student entering.
- Tick I have read and agree to the Terms & Conditions, then complete order.
Colouring Competition
Online entries close on Monday, 10th February 2025.
Entry Fees: Free Entry
Delivery date: Entries can be delivered to the Showground Office, Monday to Friday between 9am and 2pm.
All entries must be received at the Office by Wednesday, 12th February 2025.
Ribbons: Awarded by the Judge for first and second.
The colouring competition is judged in the following age groups:
- Under 5 years
- Primary School
- Secondary School
Sponsored by TBC
Colouring Competition Schedule
Under 5 years picture
Primary school picture
Secondary school picture
Cooking Competition
In 2025 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 13th February, starting at 10.30 am.
The 2025 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 ‘Love our Show’ is to decorate the a cake in a Valentine’s Theme. 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.
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.
A new section has been added showcasing BBQ/Smoked meats.
View here for Schedule 2025 Cooking Schedule – Final V1
Entries open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display
Entries close Wednesday, 5th February 2024
Demo Derby Competition
Saturday, 15th February, 2024
Entry for 2025 will be free
All cars MUST be removed by the competitor from the showground.
All enquiries to Chris Fisher on 0412 149 486
Enter at https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow.
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display
Entries close 5/02/2025
Prize money
Prize money will be paid the week following the show to the nominated bank account.
1st Prize $500
2nd Prize $250
3rd Prize $150
Crowd Favourite $100
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!
View here for Schedule 2025 Donkey Schedule – Final V1
Entries open online Sunday 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Farm Animals
Entries close Wednesday, 5th February 2025
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, Saturday 15th February 2024.
View here for Schedule 2025 Boer Goats Schedule – Final V1
Entries open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Farm Animals
Entries close Wednesday, 5th February 2025
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, Sunday 16th February 2024.
View here for Schedule 2025 Dairy Goats Schedule – Final V1
Entries open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Farm Animals
Entries close Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Handcraft Competition
The Handcraft Competition, formerly Homecraft Competition includes the following sections for 2025
Apron – Valentines Day Theme
Embroidery
Machine Sewing
Patchwork, Applique, Quilting
Knitting
Crotchet
Spinning & Weaving
Porcelain Painting
General Handcraft – Dolls/Bears, Recycle Article
Junior Handcraft
Aged community groups
People with Disabilities
View here for Schedule 2025 Handcraft Schedule – Final V1
Entries open online Sunday 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display
Entries close Wednesday , 5th February 2025
Honey Competition
View here for Schedule 2025 Honey Schedule – Final V1
Entries open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display
Entries close Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Horse 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.
ASC Multi Purpose Individual Waiver
HRA&HA Horse Section Regulations
Entries open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display / Select drop down Farm Animals
Entries close Wednesday, 5th February 2025
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.
View here for Schedules
2025 Horticulture A Produce Schedule – Final V1
2025 Horticulture B Flora Schedule – Final V1
2025 Horticulture C Youth Schedule – Final V1
Entries open online Sunday 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display
Entries close Wednesday , 5th February 2025
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.
View here for Schedule 2025 Poultry Schedule – Final V1
Entries open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Farm Animals
Entries close Wednesday, 5th February 2025
2024 Maitland Show Rodeo
Friday 16 February from 4pm at Centre Ring
Entries via ABCRA website.
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.
Entries open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display
Entries close Wednesday, 5th February 2025.
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
Free entry to the 2024 Maitland Show is offered to school groups on Friday, 14th February between 10am and 2pm.
There will be horse, cattle and poultry events, hands-on animal displays, as well as art, photography, horticulture, handcraft and cooking exhibitions.
Please register at https://www.cognitoforms.com/MaitlandShowground/SchooliesRegistration
Check out our competitions too!
- Amateur Photography
- Cattle Clinic
- Colouring-in
- Cooking
- Handcraft
- Horticulture
- Horses
- Scarecrow
- Woodwork
Woodchop Schedule
MAITLAND SHOW
Maitland Showground
Saturday 15th February, 2024 – 12.00 noon start
- 300mm Underhand Handicap
- 275 mm Standing Block Handicap
- 325mm Championship
- 275mm Underhand Handicap
- Double Handed Saw Handicap
- NSW Sponsored Junior Chop
Nominations Close 5th February, 2024
Noel Marsh – noelmarshtimbers@outlook.com
Please nominate events required
All events must be paid for
Woodwork Competition
View here for Schedule 2025 Woodwork Schedule – Final V1
Entries open online Sunday, 1st December 2024 at
https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow
Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display
Entries close Wednesday, 5th February 2025