When is there a better time in the year for a young thrill-seeker eager to use their junk food wildcard but at the Royal Canberra Show?

There was the usual plethora of fiercely fought ribbon battles, including wood chopping, biggest pumpkin, prettiest flowers and a variety of animal-related competitions.

But few events were as popular as the flying pooches at the flyball championships.

For those yet to complete a thorough lap at Exhibition Park, the sport is a relay race of dogs jumping hurdles, cleverly releasing a tennis ball from a box with their paws, and then running back to the start to tag in the next canine.

Ziggy, the one-eyed brown labrador, couldn't quite manage the hurdles but she stole the hearts of the event's many new fans.

Owner Nat Winslade found her loving lab at a rescue centre and she said the sport was a perfect way to teach dogs social skills and obedience.

"If you can get recall on your dog in a flyball ring with other dogs while people are yelling and screaming, you can get a recall anywhere else," she said.

"That's definitely something that is great to have for a dog."

Meanwhile, the Davies family from Queanbeyan panned for gem stones at the Rock River Mining stall. While young Isabelle looked like a natural with the pan, she stopped short of predicting a career in the gold fields.

Earlier in the day Canberra Raiders stars Jarrod Croker and Kurt Baptiste put their football code allegiance to the side and shaved their heads in support of ACT Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano.

Lealiifano is in remission after being diagnosed with leukaemia last year and the rugby league stars were some of many Canberrans putting their heads, and even beards, on the line to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave.