Equestrian Excellence at the Great Yorkshire Show
A unique appearance by the 2013 Grand National winner, Auroras Encore and his trainers Sue and Harvey Smith provided a thrilling addition to the equine elements of the Great Yorkshire Show. The grandstand crowds gave the world famous horse a standing ovation as with impressive horsemanship, Sue rode him around the Main Ring, showing his wonderful manners and style to perfection.
Also, the quality of finalists for the Top Spec Supreme Championship gave the judges an incredibly difficult task, whilst John Whitaker drew rapturous applause as he took the top show jumping trophy in the Ripon Select Foods Cock o’the North Championship.
Attendance at England’s leading farming and rural showcase was the third highest ever, at 134,837, just shy of the record - 135,211 established in 2006. Superb sunshine and well filled horse, pony and show jumping classes made it one of the most successful shows in recent memory.
The TopSpec sponsored Supreme Championship is always a highlight with judges looking for star quality and performance. TopSpec, the Thirsk-based nutrition and feed company, has sponsored the championship for the last three years and it was Michael Bacon who presented the awards. Yorkshire’s own 2012 Olympic Silver Medallist, Nicola Wilson was one of the three judges with the difficult task of choosing the champion. In the end the honours went to Mrs Jill Day of Tarporley, Cheshire with Party Time, an 8 year old bay gelding, ridden by Yorkshire-born Robert Walker.
The In-Hand Cuddy Supreme Championship brought the very best winners to a grand finale, with the recipient gaining a Horse of the Year qualifying ticket. The 2013 award went to Amiro Royale, a 3 year old chestnut gelding, from Mr Paul Kay of Barnsley.
In the showjumping, the Great Yorkshire Show is fortunate to have one of the world's top course designers and builders, Bob Ellis. Bob was also responsible for the stunning London Olympics course and his testing jumps certainly made for “edge of the seat” viewing. After an exciting jump off, it was John Whitaker, riding Maximillian, who took the Ripon Select Foods Cock o’the North trophy, along with £8,000, making it the sixth time the Yorkshireman has taken home the silverware.
MAIN EQUINE RESULTS
Ripon Select Foods Cock o’the North Championship: John Whitaker, riding Maximillian.
Cuddy Supreme In Hand Championship: Mr Paul Kay of Barnsley with Amiro Royale
Top Spec Supreme Ridden Championship: Party Time, owned by Mrs Jill Day of Tarporley, Cheshire, and ridden by Robert Walker.
ENDS
17 July, 2013
Judy Thompson, PR Manager, Yorkshire Agricultural Society – 01423 546215 or 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. 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 next Countryside Live are Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October and the 2014 Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10 July. See also www.yas.co.uk and www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk
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