The inaugural Wideland Challenge is 2018’s feature event with teams from across the Hunter invited to try their luck in the chance to win a share of $2000 cash. 

Merriwa Show president Rob Tindall said he was looking forward to seeing what teams will come up trumps. 

“It’s not about the fittest or the fastest, this challenge requires a bit of thinking, a bit of problem solving and a whole lot of team work,” he explained.

“Think ‘Ninja Warrior’ meets a whacky bushwhacker challenge where you might have to boil a billy or climb a greasy pole. 

“It should be a lot of fun for not only the competitors but the spectators, too.”

Nominations are free and required prior to the show. 

You need to register a team of three coming from your sporting club, school or just a group of friends. 

Categories include children 8 to 12, 12 to 16, open women and open men.

Email entries to fionamorgan6@bigpond.com stating your team’s name, what age group you’re competing in plus the organisation you are representing. 

Each of the four categories will compete for $500 with $400 going to your organisation and $100 to the team members to spend on the day.

The usual crowd favourites will be back with the chooks and sheep to prime cattle and a swathe of horse events as well as plenty of rides, show bags and pavilions of local crafts and produce.

On the bill again this year will be the dog high jump competition, a dog agility obstacle course (open to dogs of all shapes and sizes) and plenty of noisy high octane “power” events with the beaut utes, fence post split and motorised esky races.

The Merriwa Springtime Show is on Saturday, September 15, at the Merriwa Showground. 

Gates open at 7am and will close when the music finishes at 11.30pm.