According to association treasurer Bruce Snape, the safety of the competitors, exhibitors, volunteers and visitors was a major factor in the decision.

"The committee decided to postpone the show due to the wet weather and the ground conditions," Bruce explained. "We had 60mm of rain here on Sunday (March 14) and it hasn't had a chance to dry out."

The decision was made at 10.30am on Wednesday morning (March 17) ahead of the show opening on Friday, March 19.

"The grounds are already quite heavy and with 100 to 200mm of rain predicted over the next two to three days, the grounds would only get worse," Bruce said on Thursday (March 18).

At the stage the decision was made, the vintage car club had already pulled the plug and the only safe place for cars to travel inside the showground would be on the road. Showground members wouldn't be able to park in their reserved spots on the hill due to safety concerns and the probability of slipping.

Horse floats and cattle trucks wouldn't be able to drive into the usual locations due to the state of the grounds, nor would the show ring be in a safe state for the planned horse events.

According to Bruce, the committee had been paying close attention to the weather conditions in the weeks leading up to the show and knew it was a possibility they may have to pull the plug.

When the Bureau of Meteorology announced on Wednesday (March 17) another severe rain event in the region, the committee agreed with wasn't worth the safety risk. Not to mention that fact that many competitors and visitors would opt out of attending in the pouring rain, which would have a major impact of the financial outcome of the show.

This is the second time in as many years that the Gloucester Show has not proceeded as planned. Last year, it was forced to cancel due to COVID.

But the committee is optimistic about a spring show and will be looking into possible dates for the event to take place.