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The Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Society held its first meeting at the Commercial Hotel on November 11, 1876 and the first Show held on April 5 & 6, 1877 in the old School of Arts building and adjoining grounds.
The Society has undergone four name changes to date. In 1887 the name changed to Tenterfield Inter-Colonial Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Society.
In 1906 it changed to Tenterfield Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Society and again in 1950 it took the title of Tenterfield Pastoral and Agricultural Society. It is now known as Tenterfield Show Society Incorporated.
A very important resolution was passed at a meeting held on August 7, 1877 which read as follows: “That the Secretary of the Lands Department be communicated with in order to obtain a grant of land suitable for a Showground and secondly, “That the piece selected should be the present Showground”.
On November 5, 1878, the notification of the grant for the selected land for a Showground was received.
The Show of 1879 was held on the new ground and as there were no fences the gatekeepers stood on the Manners Street bridge and collected the toll.
It was in this year that the work of fencing was undertaken and the tender of Messrs. Murphy and Gibson at 12/- per rod was accepted. The work to be completed by February 20, 1880.
The old pavilion was completed in the year 1882. J Mangleson being the successful tenderer, the contract price 216 pound.
The new pavilion, know as the William Reid Pavilion was built in 1914 and opened in 1915.
In 1962 the Festival of the Willows proceeds went to the provision of lighting for the Showground. Four banks of lights were installed and the first night Show was held in 1963.
1967 - The Society procured additional ground on the western side of the Showground. Later additional land was purchased to the south, on which was built the existing Stud Cattle area. More recently the caretakers cottage was purchased and the land which is now the Dressage Arena.
1968 - Additional horse stalls were erected
1969 - Work commenced on the new fat cattle yards, which was completed in 1973.
1972 - The pig pavilion was extended and converted to the Poultry pavilion.
1973 - A new ring fence was erected.
1975 - New committee room was built. A new cut-out yard was erected and showers installed on the grounds.
1977 - The 100th anniversary Show was opened by the Governor General Sir John Kerr. This was his first public appearance after the historic sacking of Gough Whitlam. A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the William Reid Pavilion. Mr P A Irby, a descendant of Edward Irby, first President of the Show Society officiated in the unveiling.
1984 - Rebuilding of the Rodeo chutes.
Mid 1980's. A new bar was constructed. A new floor and roof installed in the main pavilion and pony stables build. This was completed with the help of the Government RED scheme.
Also during this time the ring lights were upgraded, which created four times more light using half as much electricity.
1989 - The Tenterfield Shearing Committee was formed, which raised funds to enable the erection of the Shearing Complex, which was completed in 1992. The new complex hosted the NSW State Fine Wool Shearing Championships that same year. Also during this time the footbridge and cement causeway were build to allow access to the Shearing Complex.
During 1990's - New horse stalls were erected and additional steel stalls/day yards were purchased. The old horse stalls along Manners Street fence were demolished, which enabled the establishment of the second ring, now used as the Jumping Arena.
1995 - The Australian Fine Wool Shearing Championships were held
2002-03 - Additions to the Rodeo Yards.
2005 - The campdraft memorial was erected and additions were made to the campdraft yards. A new PA system was installed.
A long term project, 15-20 years, was the completion of the chainwire fence which surrounds the grounds. This was finished in 2005 due to help from Green Corp.
2006 - New seating was erected around the ring
2007 - New stables
MANY FIRSTS ON TENTERFIELD SHOWGROUND
Tenterfield Showground has been the scene of some of the finest horse jumping in Australia, and on occasions has held not only the Australian record, but the world record.
Rules and point scoring for show jumping were first drawn up by the Tenterfield Show Society and later adopted by show societies everywhere.
The men responsible for this system were W H Walker of Tenterfield Station and W Fraser, manager of “Mole Station” at that time.
At the 1883 Show, John Dwyer's veteran “Skewball” nearly forfeited the jumping honours he had held for so many years to Mr George Kermode's famous “Chance”, then only a colt.
This was the first of the tussles for which the Tenterfield grounds acquired a gradually increasing fame and it is interesting to note that an all Australian record was put up in 1896.
At the 1896 Show the contest for the Ladies High Jump was an event of great interest. The record of 5'9” had never been equalled in the colonies.
Mrs W Stace, of Walcha was the rider and the Society presented her with a gold medal suitably inscribed.
The Australian record high jump of 7' 10 1/2” was established in 1926 on the excellent Tenterfield jumping grounds. The horse, “Look-out” was owned by Mrs A A Laidlaw.
In 1936 the world record was broken when C H Perry's “Lookout”, ridden by W Barton, cleared 8' 3 1/2”.
Another first for Tenterfield Show was the introduction of campdrafting in 1885. The first draft was not held in the ring, but just outside the Showground on a vacant area.
Mr Clarence W Smith of Boorook Station drew up the method of judging which formed the basis of this sporting event that is now widely popular all over Australia.
The C W Smith Memorial Open draft is still a feature event on the campdraft program.
Towards the end of 1924 fire destroyed the grandstand and with only nine weeks until the 1925 Show a brave decision was made by the President Mr G Purvis-Smith to construct a new concrete structure.
The contractors, Messrs. G Kyburz and Son took up the challenge and had the magnificent grandstand erected and almost complete within seven weeks.
A plaque is mounted on the front of the Grandstand honouring such dedicated workmanship.
MEMORIALS
The names of many people associated with the Tenterfield Show Society over the years have been perpetuated by structural memorials built within the Showgrounds.
The WH Walker Memorial gate was erected in memory of Mr W H Walker, who held the position of president for 17 years, 1883-1900.
The A M White Memorial gate. Mr White was vice-president for many years and held the position of president for two years 1907-1908
The William Reid Memorial Pavilion. Mr Reid held the position of treasurer for 20 years, 1894 -1913, and president for nine years 1914-1922
The Gwen Winter Memorial Feed Room: Mrs Winter was a keen competitor and was accidentally killed on the Showgrounds when her horse fell whilst competing in the campdraft.
The Percy Moore Memorial Gate. Mr Moore was a keen competitor who was accidentally killed whilst helding at the Rodeo chutes.
The Ken Telfer Memorial Wool Stands; Mr Telfer was a committeeman for many years and Chief Steward of the wool section.
The A W Hartmann Memorial Sheep Pavilion. Mr Hartmann was a member of the committee for over 40 years, a past vice-president and patron, chief steward of the sheep section and instigated the removal and re-building of the sheep pavilion on its present site. He was also a staunch exhibitor.
The Albert Donnelly Memorial Gate. Mr Donnelly was a committeeman for over 30 years, chief steward of the stud cattle, vice president, president for nine years and patron. He was also a keen exhibitor in the cattle sections.
The Lilias Donnelly Memorial CWA Rooms. Mrs Donnelly was CWA foundation president of CWA and held the position for 30 years
The John Hnes Memorial Gate. Mr Hynes was president and patron and a loyal supporter and benefactor of the Society.
The Cathy Phippard Memorial Gate. Cathy was Ringmaster during the 1980's
The Gordon Grey Memorial Stand. Mr Grey was a keen supporter of the campdraft.
The Roy Willcocks Memorial Stand. Mr Willcocks was a Patron of the Show Society .
The John Burrows Stud Cattle Pavilion. Mr Burrows made the initial donation towards the formation of the Stud Cattle area.
The Marion Barry Memorial. Trees were planted in the Stud Cattle area in memory of Mrs Barry, who was a long time Secretary of the Society.
