Entries in abundance for 2013 Great Yorkshire Show
Entries for the livestock classes for the 2013 Great Yorkshire Show are flooding in as dates for the premier agricultural event are on the horizon.
The show runs from Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 July and is an important shop window for the farming industry as well as a great day out. Each year some of the UK’s finest cattle, sheep and pigs head for Harrogate to compete for the coveted championship rosettes.
Deadlines for entries to be submitted are getting closer – sheep entries must be received by Tuesday 14 May, cattle by Tuesday 21 May and pig entries by Wednesday 5 June.
Bill Cowling, Show Director said: “There’s no doubt that a prize card from the Great Yorkshire is highly sought after – at Harrogate we always have both quantity and quality coming in front of the judges.
“We usually have more than 2,000 entries in the sheep section so that’s virtually a show within a show, the pig section is always popular and this year for the first time we have the final of the BPA Young Pig of the Year as well as the usual Pig of the Year championship. The cattle section is a real highlight - you won’t see finer stock anywhere than in the cattle parades in our main ring.”
The Supreme Beef championship never fails to draw the crowds and Arwel Owen from Welshpool is the man with the difficult task of deciding this prestigious award. This will be the first time in many years that the championship will have one judge, rather than a panel. Mr Owen has a pedigree herd of British Charolais as well as a commercial suckler herd. He showed the female champion at last year’s Royal Welsh Show with a Charolais cow which he later sold in his reduction sale for 11,000 guineas.
He commented: “I’ve judged Charolais at the Great Yorkshire before, but this will be the first time for the championship. I was so impressed with the show that since first judging I’ve been back as a visitor several times. There’s a great atmosphere as you walk around and the standard of the cattle is always amazing. It’s a great show.”
Ashley Fleming who farms in County Down has the difficult task of deciding the Dairy Championship, and also the winner of the prestigious Burke Trophy. Mr Fleming milks around 100 pedigree Jerseys, Holsteins and Shorthorns and has judged at numerous shows across the world.
This year’s beef interbreed judge is Aled Edwards who farms around 350 acres in Dyfed. He will also judge the Blythewood Beef Pairs, both the natives and continentals. The family’s Dyfri herd of British Limousins, is well known as well as successfully competing himself, Mr Edwards has also judged at many national shows and was the first British breeder to be elected President of the World Limousin Council.
Timetable of Highlights:
Tuesday 9 July - Supreme Beef Championship
Wednesday 10 July
- Interbreed Beef Group Competition
- Blythewood Native Beef Pairs & Blythewood Continental Beef Pairs
- Supreme Dairy Championship
- Interbreed Dairy Group Championship
- Bythewood Dairy Pairs Championship
- Supreme Pig Championship
- BPA Pig of the Year Final
- Interbreed Sheep Championships
- Terminal Sire Championships
- Supreme Sheep Championship
Thursday 11 July
BPA Young Pig of the Year Final
Tickets are available either on line - www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk or call 01423 541222 or in person from the Show’s office at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.
ENDS
3 May 2013
Judy Thompson, PR Manager, Yorkshire Agricultural Society – 01423 546215 or judyt@yas.co.uk
Editors’ Notes
Apply online for press passes for the Great Yorkshire Show here - www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/media/press-passes
INFORMATION
Tickets bought in advance Tickets bought on the gate
Adult: £21 Adult £24
Concession: £20 Concession: £23
Children: £9 Children: £11
Family: £54 Family: £62
Parking is free and extensive. Free buses will run from Harrogate Railway Station.
Please be aware, dogs, other than assistance dogs, are not allowed on the showground.
YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY:
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was formed in 1837 and is a charity dedicated to supporting the farming industry and rural life. This ranges from educational initiatives to the Society’s Nuffield Scholarships to hosting the Yorkshire Rural Support Network. The Society is based at the Regional Agricultural Centre, Harrogate; the RAC includes Fodder, the Society’s award winning regional food shop and café which opened in June 2009.
The Society is the organiser of the annual farming and country showcase, the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live. Both take place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire and are flagship events for agriculture and rural life. Dates for the 2013 Great Yorkshire Show are Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 July, and Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October are the dates for Countryside Live. Tickets go on sale for the Great Yorkshire Show on Thursday 1 March. See also www.yas.co.uk and www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk
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