Equine Excellence promised for Great Yorkshire Show

With 2,000 entries in the show jumping and equine classes, the Great Yorkshire Show remains a major draw for competitors from across the UK. Entries are at full capacity, with competitors applying earlier every year in a bid to secure a place at what is England’s premier agricultural show.

NB: Images available to download at the bottom of release

Dates for this year are Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July when more than 130,000 people are expected to attend. And the show’s equine pedigree and reputation remains as high as ever.

Steward and member of the show’s Equine Committee Liz Lorrimar said: “It is such a thrill to ride in the Main Ring that it draws competitors from far and wide. Not only is it a lovely, permanent ring with a great natural surface but the crowds always make for a buzzy, exciting atmosphere.”

With the show offering prestigious classes, from the Cuddy Supreme In-Hand Championship qualifier to the iconic Ripon Select Foods Cock O’ The North climax in the show jumping, the equine section is as strong as ever.

The Main Ring is the setting for the Show’s ever-popular six showjumping classes, with the William Hanson Stakes opening proceedings on Tuesday, followed by the Port Royal EEC Badsworth Stakes.

Wednesday sees the British Showjumping International Stairway competition, followed by the Rudding Park Great Yorkshire Championship, while on Thursday the Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream Mini Major Whip Round where junior competitors and their ponies compete in pairs with senior show jumpers takes place. Entries this year have come from as far afield as Essex and Scotland.

The show jumping culminates, as ever, with the Ripon Select Foods Cock O’ The North Championship which offers a total prize fund of nearly £24,000 and was won last year by Douglas Duffin. As always, the spectators will be hoping for a “home” winner of the trophy as so often in the past and this year’s contenders come from across the region, including Huddersfield’s John, George, Joe and Robert Whitaker, Bradford-based Alison Barton, York’s Jamie Gornall and Northallerton’s Laura Robinson.

With more than 1,700 entries in the showing and scurry section, 2016 has seen a rise in entries in the Hunter classes, both Youngstock and Ridden, reflecting the Show’s reputation for a high standard of competition. Entries are also up for Welsh ponies, Cleveland Bays, Show Ponies and in the Retrained Racehorse classes. Amongst the most popular classes with spectators are the Coloured Ridden and the Donkeys, both again seeing a rise in competitor numbers.

The Mountain and Moorland Lead Rein class is once again in the Main Ring, following its debut there last year, and there are more than 350 entries across the four Mountain and Moorland classes, with competition expected to be very strong.

The Great Yorkshire continues to host Horse of the Year qualifiers for Hunters, Working Hunters, Show Ponies, Show Hunter Ponies, Lead Rein and First Ridden, In-Hand, Youngstock and Mare and Foals, with the crème de la crème competing for the Cuddy Supreme on the final day.

Another crowd-pleaser are the Pony Club Mounted Games, which take place in the TopSpec White Rose Ring on Wednesday afternoon.

The Great Yorkshire Show is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. Tickets are now on sale – for the latest details see below and www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

ENDS

30 June 2016

Media contact: Judy Thompson, PR Manager judyt@yas.co.uk or 01423 546215

If you wish to apply for press passes to the Great Yorkshire Show, please complete the online application form on our website, by 6th July 2016 - http://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/media/press-passes

EDITORS NOTES

- The Great Yorkshire Show is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, a charity which supports farming and the agricultural industry.

- This will be the 158th Great Yorkshire Show

- Dates are Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July

- The venue is The Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

- It is England’s premier agricultural event.Tickets are available online – at greatyorkshireshow.co.uk or by calling the Ticket Hotline - 01423 541222 (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm)

- There are savings to be made by buying tickets in advance.

- Parking is extensive and free

- Dogs, other than assistance dogs, are not allowed on the showground. Be kind to your dog and leave it at home.For the latest information see www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

Great Yorkshire Show 2016 Ticket Prices

                                    Advanced Prices                              Gate Price

                                    (until Weds 6 July)

Adult                           £23                                                      £27

Child                           £10                                                       £13

Family (2 adults
& 3 children)             £56                                                      £67

Tags: