EXCELLENT RURAL SHOWCASE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

One of the highest attendance figures in recent years brought the 13th Countryside Live at Harrogate to a close yesterday (Sunday). Organisers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society announced that 12,101 visitors came through the gates over the weekend for the little sister event of the Great Yorkshire Show.

NB: Images available to download at the bottom of the release

One of the highest attendance figures in recent years brought the 13th Countryside Live at Harrogate to a close yesterday (Sunday). Organisers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society announced that 12,101 visitors came through the gates over the weekend for the little sister event of the Great Yorkshire Show.

It was a particularly special two days for the new Show Director, Charles Mills who took over the role in July.  Mr Mills commented: “It’s been an exciting show with a wonderful atmosphere. The quality of livestock gets better each year and the new venue for the cattle has worked well and is something we’d like to build on for the future.  Bjorn the Polar Bear was a real hit with families, as were all the hands on activities around the show.

“Our aim is to inspire people about agriculture and the rural economy, whether it’s through seeing the first class animals, the excellent trade stands, or the demonstrations and attractions, and I certainly think we have achieved that. Now work begins for next year’s Countryside Live, but of course before that we have the Great Yorkshire Show in July.”

In the equine section, the event hosted the finals of the Northern Show Cross Series, which saw record entries with fast and furious competition in the Main Ring. The Search for a Talented Showjumper was described as “innovative” and “unique” by judge and Olympic rider Tina Fletcher in encouraging up and coming riders. The competition also attracted record entries.

Looking to the future, Chief Executive Nigel Pulling said: “We have had a great weekend and with our new hall coming on stream next year we are in a good position to continue the development of Countryside Live.”

Results Include:

Beef Section

Supreme Championship: A British Blue x heifer, ‘Minion’, bred and shown by Mrs Sally Lloyd of Leominster

Reserve: A British Blue x heifer, ‘Millie’ owned and bred by Luke & Beth Wilkinson of Leyburn, North Yorkshire

Champion Beef Young Handler:

Elliw Roberts of Anglesey with Luke Wilkinson of Leyburn as Reserve

Sheep Section

Champion Pair of Butcher’s Lambs and the Champion Single Butcher’s Lamb:

David and Linda  Wadland, of Daventry with Beltex X ewe lambs. 

Reserve: Hannah Brown of Leyburn with her Beltex X lambs

Champion Sheep Young Handler: Max Clough, aged 13 of Pickering.

Champion Sheep Young Handler (8 yrs and under):  Jack Whiteford, aged 6, of Brampton, Cumbria

Equine:

Mountain & Moorland Championship:

Beth Simons of Derbyshire with a Welsh Section D stallion, Ballynacoy Prince

Coloured Horse & Pony Championship:

Kimberley Hinds of Durham with Volatis Diva, her 5 year old mare

Northern Show Cross Finals

Champion Senior Team: ‘Horses4Sale’ of Darlington

Reserve: ‘The Golden Girls and The Toy Boy’ of Penistone

Search for a Talented Showjumper:

Tabby Bentley, aged 20, of Ripley, Harrogate with Welsh Section D pony, Jordie

Pigeons:

Best Fancy Pigeon Championship:

John Elsdon of Spalding, Lincolnshire with a 6 month old Dragoon

Best Young Pigeon Fancier:

Taylor Cassidy aged 15 of Mirfield, West Yorkshire

Poultry Championship:

Stephen and Graham Hodge of Preston with their 6 month old black Rosecomb pullet.

Honey:

Blue Ribbon Award:

Chris Smailes of Fadmoor, Pickering

For all the results visit:  http://countrysidelive.co.uk/entries-results/schedules-entry-forms-and-results

ENDS

19 October 2015

Judy Thompson, PR Manager, Yorkshire Agricultural Society

01423 546215 or email judyt@yas.co.uk

Editors’ Notes

The Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event Countryside Live, are organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society as part of its year round work supporting and promoting the farming and rural industry. Next year will be the 158th Great Yorkshire Show, and dates are Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July. Countryside Live, the Society’s autumn event takes place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October, 2016. 

Countryside Live was launched in 2003 as the little sister event of the Great Yorkshire Show. Attendance figures have increased particularly since 2011 when 10,700 visitors came through the gates. Last year’s figure was 12,215.

Tags: