Alexander W Peddie [Lex] was educated at Christchurch Boys' High School and grew up in North Canterbury, where he worked on numerous farms before shifting to West Otago after marrying Shirley Forrester 50 years ago. He farmed at Waikoikoi in Otago and worked for Harry Brenssell, before making his way north and eventually putting down roots back in North Canterbury, where he bought his own block and built a life around farming, horses, and the land.

​

 

Merino wool has long been a passion of Lex's, although most people who know him will know him first through showjumping. He jumped at the Christchurch Show for the first time in 1978 and didn't really stop for the best part of forty years. Over that time he competed, course designed, and eventually worked to FEI Level 2 Course Design (the international governing body for equestrian sport) designing courses across New Zealand and Australia before retiring from that role a couple of years ago. It's a long way from a young fella coming through the gates at Christchurch Show for the first time.

​

 

The Peddies have been part of the Canterbury A&P Show since 1976, and the whole family is still going strong. Shirley shows Karetu-coloured Romneys and Corriedales, a passion spanning 30 to 40 years and daughters Amy and Nicola compete in showjumping and hunters. Amy also runs heading dogs at the Show, and his son Glenn jumped ponies when he was young and went on to win the Show's inaugural Young Auctioneers Competition.

​

 

The Peddie family have hunted with Brackenfield Hunt Club from the early 1970s, with Lex serving as a committee member for a number of years.

​

 

Away from the show circuit, Lex and Shirley run a flock of quarter-bred merino sheep, and Lex breaks in horses. A few times a year he takes groups of young people out into the North Canterbury backcountry on horseback for a week of being largely self-reliant and away from screens and pressure. It started as something he felt strongly about and has become a real passion. He's seen firsthand what that kind of time in the hills can do for someone's state of mind.

​

 

Lex joined the Canterbury A&P Horse Section in 1994/95, later became Vice Chairman, and then served as Chairman for over 10 years. Having passed the Horse Section leadership on to Hamish Grigg. Lex now takes on the role of 2026 President of the Canterbury A&P Association.

​

 

Lex knows this Show from the inside out, as a competitor, an official, a course designer, a family man who's watched his kids compete in the same rings he once did.