Record Crowds and Equine Successes at Countryside Live 2013
A record breaking attendance figure brought the 11th Countryside Live to a close with organizers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society saying it was the best ever.
A total of 12,689 visitors came through the gates of the Great Yorkshire Show’s little sister event this weekend (19 and 20 October) at Harrogate. The figure was more than 5% up on last year’s record of 12,061. And record entries in the equine section, plus the introduction of Driving Trials meant the crowds had plenty to keep them entertained over the two days
Show Director Bill Cowling said: “This is an absolutely super figure. The equine hall was packed with spectators virtually all weekend and it was super to see our outdoor rings well used too. ”
In a thrilling climax to the weekend, 13-year-old Ellie Meldrum was picked by judges Graham and Tina Fletcher as the winner of their X-Factor style competition, Search for A Talented Showjumper.
The schoolgirl, from Jedburgh, Roxburgshire, riding her 21-year-old Belgian pony Sylvester, impressed the Fletchers and booked her a two-day ticket to their yard in Oxfordshire and £250 in prizemoney.
The youngster, who has been riding since she was a toddler and has partnered Sylvester for just eight weeks, was delighted with her success.
“I am ecstatic, it’s just fantastic. I just tried my hardest and can’t believe that I did it,” said Ellie, who is representing Scottish schools at a showjumping competition in London later this year.
Graham Fletcher said it had been tough choosing the winner out of a record-breaking number of entries (52) – but Ellie stood out for her “enthusiasm and willingness to learn”. He’s a really nice pony and Ellie wants to learn which helps her progress to the next stage.
“Competition gets tougher and tougher each year, and we have had a very high standard of entries. It’s an event that Tina and I really enjoy being part of – we love coming to Harrogate,” he said. Search for a Talented Show jumper is sponsored by Askham Bryan College.
Lancashire rider, Sandra Burton qualified for December’s Olympia after winning the Supreme Championship title in the Ridden Mountain and Moorland section.
Riding her eight-year-old grey gelding Connemara, Fly The Last Flute, it was Sandra’s third success in as many weeks, having taken 9th place at the Horse of the Year Show and the Supreme Championship title at the Northern Connemara Show.
“It’s a brilliant result, I’m delighted,” said Sandra. “I haven’t entered an Olympia qualifier this year so to enter this one, and qualify on our first attempt, is great news. The judges did seem to like him, we needed to hold it all together on the day,” she said. Mrs Burton’s home is in Wigan.
It was the juniors who led the way at the North Eastern Driving Trials, which were held for the first time at Countryside Live.
Stephanie Milner from Huggate, York, added to her already impressive collection of prizes by taking the competition championship, with Josh, her Welsh X Hackney pony. She is the British National Novice Champion.
A love of horse power runs in the family as she is following in the competitive footsteps of her father Jonny. He has twice won the British rally driving championships, and was on the carriage’s back step, helping her race to the title.
It is the second year that the Northern Show Cross Finals have been held at Countryside Live – and with 118 riders forward and over £1,000 in prize money on offer, the competition was fierce. It was a good day for Samantha Knott of Darlington who won both the senior 80cm and 90cm titles, whilst Denise Armstrong of Spennymoor won the 70cm senior championship. Janice Mewse, from the organising team said “The course was really well received – we’re fortunate to have two British Show Jumping builders in Ian and Alan, and the going was spot on.”
Winner of the Coloured Horse and Pony Championship was Sarah Ambler of Halifax riding Monknash Moonshine, a six-year skewbald gelding.
Sarah bought him as a three year old and has produced him. “He’s won five championships this year but at a lower level, so this is the first big one. He was amazing, I was extremely proud of him.”
ENDS
21 October 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 2014 Great Yorkshire Show are Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10 July, and Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October for Countryside Live. See www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk for more information.
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