Centennial is sentimental for Marlborough Ploughing Association

Last Saturday, I attended the Marlborough Ploughing Association’s 100th Centenary Ploughing Match at the Jordan family’s “Willowhaugh” farm on Jacksons Road. As a first‑time attendee, I was pleasantly surprised by how captivating and welcoming the event was.

Under a warm, calm Marlborough autumn sky, the rural atmosphere was inviting, and competitors, officials, display holders, food vendors and spectators alike were cheerful, chatty, and eager for the day’s events.

For many, including myself, two people were deeply missed: Ian Woolley, a world board member and respected national and international plougher, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at the recent Marlborough Sports Awards; and his wife, Jenny.

I was saddened to learn that Jenny passed away from a short illness just two days after the 11 March publication of a showcase I worked on with Ian and MPA President Richard Cooke. Jenny’s funeral was Monday, two days after the centennial.

Saturday’s formalities included a welcome from Richard, followed by a speech from Marlborough Deputy Mayor David Croad, and a series of dedications by Master of Ceremonies James Galloway - including the Blessing of the Plots, the Dedication of the Trophies, and a special tribute to the late Ian “Chiefy” McKenzie MNZM.

A heartfelt moment of silence was observed in Chiefy’s honour.

Following the ploughing brief, competitors were led out to their plots by a lone bagpiper.

The opening split began at 10:30am and was required to be completed by 10:50am. Ploughing resumed at 11:30am for the Crown, Body Work and Finish, concluding at 2:40pm.

Six experienced judges moved across the field, inspecting each plough – a process I now understand to be intricate, precise, and deserving of immense respect. Competitors were treated to an impressive spread of food by their hosts – proof that a plougher cannot compete without a hearty rural feed.

Tradition resumes

One highlight was meeting Graham Gifford, who returned to competition on Saturday with a beautifully restored David Brown Cropmaster, a tractor first released in the 1940s and meticulously rebuilt by Gifford himself. Paired with a fully restored David Brown plough, also his handiwork, the setup drew plenty of admiration on the field.

Ploughing is a longstanding tradition in the Gifford family. His wife, Shirley, competed twice in the 1970s, while one of his daughters, Cheryl, won in 1980, the final year in which women ploughed in dedicated women’s classes. Since then, women have competed alongside men. Gifford’s son Steven also took part twice in the 1980s and claimed a win in the farmers’ class.

Despite his history, Graham admitted he had managed only about an hour’s practice ahead of Saturday – his first time competing in many years. That brief run‑through, he said, was simply to ensure the plough was operating correctly.

His achievements extend well beyond local fields. He represented New Zealand at four World Ploughing Finals, the maximum allowed under the rules of the time. He later served as coach and manager for the New Zealand team at four additional World Finals, held in Switzerland, Austria, Southern Ireland and Lithuania.

Now aged 86, Gifford has been ploughing since he was 15 – an extraordinary 71 years. He still recalls his father, Clarence Gifford, walking behind him at his very first match, offering guidance. In a fitting continuation of that tradition, Graham ploughed this weekend with daughters Cheryl and Debra following behind, aiding whenever needed.

While Saturday’s event will stay with me for many reasons, what I will remember most is how this ploughing community rallied together during a difficult and emotional time to honour their history and celebrate a remarkable milestone with warmth, strength and unity.

Results

Horses: John Booth and Paule Crawford 1st 169 points

Farmers Class

John Butt 1st 113.5 points

Alan Jones 2nd 108.5 points

Nick James 3rd 106 points

Ben Cooke 4th 85 points

Bailey Feran 5th  78 points

Vintage Open 

Bruce Graham 1st 133.5 points

Graham Gifford 2nd 120 points

James Burnby 3rd 114.5 points

Alistair Dawson 4th 112.5 points

Jono Wilson 5th 106 points

William Caughey 6th 85 points

Silver Qualifying 

Derek Houghton 173.5 points

Vintage Qualifying 

Richard Cooke 1st 146 points

Paula Jordan 2nd 144 points

Henry Cosgrove-Davies 3rd 117 points

Contemporary 

Josh Rushton 1st 163.5 points

Keith Marychurch 2nd 146.5 points

Robyn Holmes 3rd 144 points

Congratulations to Derek Houghton (Silver class) and Richard Cooke (Vintage class) who will be representing Marlborough in Hynds in 2027