Warrnambool Show organisers told The Standard yesterday they had received about only 600 entries -- a 75 per cent drop on previous years.

The show's vast array of competitions include a $15,000 shearing section, showjumping, sheep, cattle, poultry, art, craft, cooking, horticulture and even a scarecrow contests.

The slow response casts a shadow over the 155-year-old event, which was forced to ban all horse events last year amid equine influenza fears.

But show manager Wayne Smith maintained there was no cause for panic and said the popular horse and showjumping events would be back this year.

"We are not really worried," he said, despite the event normally attracting 2000 entries per year.

"People have obviously forgotten."

Mr Smith said the show effectively fell a week earlier this year, causing people to delay their nominations.

Last week organisers only had 30 entries but in the past few days Mr Smith said entries skyrocketed.

One-hundred people registered nominations yesterday, bringing the total to 600.

Mr Smith was confident the show would reach its normal entries level.

"The schools haven't put their nominations in and they normally account for about a 1000.

"We are confident people will start putting their entries in in coming days."

But if they didn't register and the show ran with only a fraction of its nominations, Mr Smith said it wouldn't spell an end to the popular family event.

"It wouldn't have any real impact. There would still be a show."

People have until next Friday to submit their entries. The show will be held on October 25.