SUPER DEBUT FOR SHOW CROSS FINALS AT COUNTRYSIDE LIVE
Four riders were crowned champions in the exciting finals of the Northern Show Cross Series, held for the first time at this weekend’s Countryside Live (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October).
The new event, sponsored by Bishop Burton College, saw riders compete against each other on a testing course combining show jumps and rustic fences.
Held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, crowds gathered to watch the riders – 15 in each class – race against the clock to be in with a chance of taking the top title.
Fourteen-year-old Lucy Gilsenan of Staintondale, Scarborough, took the Junior Novice title riding her horse ‘Maddy’. But there was cause for triple celebration after she also came second in the competition’s Junior Open section, and second in Graham and Tina Fletcher’s Search for a Talented Show Jumper contest, also held at the event.
“It’s been a great weekend, absolutely brilliant – I’d love to be a famous show jumper one day, so who knows,” said Lucy.
Pensioner Alan Evans, of Monk Fryston, near York, took the Senior Novice title after beating riders more than half his age! The 74-year-old, who took part in his first competition almost 70 years ago, was delighted with his win.
“I’ve really enjoyed the summer – the Northern Show Cross Series has been a great event,” said Mr Evans, who rode his mare ‘Sally’ to victory.
There was double joy for 14-year-old Jess Birkbeck, of Darlington, who took the Junior Open title and came third in Graham and Tina Fletcher’s Search for a Talented Show Jumper competition.
And Holly Stevenson, a second year veterinary student at Liverpool University, took the Senior Open title riding her horse ‘Billy’. Holly’s home is in Northallerton.
Janice Mewse, one of the organisers of the Northern Show Cross series, said: “We wanted to give competitors different venues and an exciting new format – and it has worked brilliantly. To have the finals at Countryside Live has been fantastic,” she said.
The event celebrated its tenth year and notched up record breaking crowds, a total of 12,061 over the weekend.
ENDS
22 October 2012
Judy Thompson, PR Manager on 01423 546215 or email judyt@yas.co.uk
YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY:
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was formed in 1837 and is a charity dedicated to supporting the farming industry and rural life. The value of the support it provides to regional farming and countryside initiatives has risen year on year to almost £1m. It is based at the Regional Agricultural Centre, Harrogate; the RAC includes Fodder, the Society’s regional food shop and café which opened in June 2009. Both the RAC and Fodder has won a number of awards, including in 2010, being named as the Observer Monthly Best Independent Local Retailer, and most recently it has been chosen as a finalist in the Taste of England category of the 2012 Visit England Awards for Excellence.
The Society is the organiser of England’s premier agricultural show, the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live. Dates for Countryside Live 2013 are Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October. The 2013 Great Yorkshire Show dates are Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 July which will be the 155th show.
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