More than 134,000 visitors flocked to the 160th Great Yorkshire Show, which organisers have hailed “one of the best ever”.
Fantastic competitions, stunning sunshine, a royal visit and a wedding combined to make this year’s show a special one with 134,421 visitors attending over the three days. It compares to last year’s figures of 133,542.
There were also some firsts with Lizzie Jones making history as the first ever singer to perform in the Main Ring at the Show, the Craven Heifer sculpture took prime position on the President’s Lawn alongside a Big Screen showing Yorkshire Film Archive footage.
There was a nail-biting finish with an all-Yorkshire jump off in the prestigious Ripon Select Foods Cock O’ The North showjumping class, this year marking its 50th anniversary.
Other highlights of the day included a visit by Farming Minister George Eustice who was accompanied, as he met exhibitors, by show director Charles Mills.
The formal hand over to the new President of the Great Yorkshire Show also took place, with Bill Cowling handing over to Tom Ramsden.
Show director Charles Mills said: “I couldn’t have been prouder of the show, it was a magical three days, a real celebration of farming and the countryside.
“The weather, the atmosphere, the standard of competition and a visit from HRH The Princess Royal made it a truly spectacular show and from the feedback, we are getting, our visitors thought so too.”
Championships
On Tuesday, there was tough competition for the Supreme Beef Interbreed title, with the champion named as Boden and Davies Ltd of Stockport’s British Charolais cow Sportsmans Maisie.
Reserve went to R&J Graham of Stirling’s British Limousin heifer, Grahams Melody.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Sheep Champion at the show was Paul Tippetts of Shropshire’s Beltex, while the Pig of the Year title went to Robert Emmerson’s Large White gilt, Maple Leaf, from Leicestershire.
The Supreme Dairy Champion was an Ayrshire, Willowfields Winnie II, owned by Bill Lindsay and Howard Batty, of Lanarkshire.
Next year’s Great Yorkshire Show will be held from Tuesday to Thursday, July 9-11, 2019.
