Record Crowds for 2010 Countryside Live
2010-Oct-25

Blue skies and sunshine helped to produce a bumper crowd at the 2010 Countryside Live, with a record number of visitors through the gates. Organisers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society announced a final gate figure of 10,221 beating the previous record of 10,127 established in 2008. Held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, this was the event’s eighth year.

Three year old Freddie Powdrill Swinscoe enjoying his day at 2010 Countryside Live which closed on Sunday 24 October with a record attendance figure.

Bill Cowling, Show Director said: “It’s been a tremendous show, with well filled classes and the atmosphere has been super. We’re delighted to have had both record crowds and a record number of entries, particularly given the current economic climate. It’s now all systems go planning next year’s event, and of course we have the Great Yorkshire Show in July.”

The new X Factor-style showjumping competition proved a huge hit with 14 year old Emily Hobson from Doncaster winning the title with her pony, Chocolate Supreme. Judged by equestrian experts Graham and Tina Fletcher, Emily won a day at the Fletchers’ yard and £300 in prize money. Runner up was Sam Reddrop of Buckinghamshire.

There were record entries across the competitive sections and in the beef cattle, the overall championship honours went to Phil and Sharon Sellers of Belper, Derbyshire with their Belgian Blue X heifer. It was a hat-trick for the Sellers, who have won the Supreme Championship at the event for the last three years. They also went away with silverware from two class wins, the British Blue Championship, the overall Heifer Championship and the Champion Limousin heifer. Reserve was another Belgian Blue – “Cheeky Girl” shown by Dylan Hughes of North Wales.

In the sheep section, the Supreme Champion Pair of Butcher’s Lambs were shown by Messrs R Hall & Son, of Dalston, Carlisle with Hannah Brown of Bedale, North Yorkshire standing Reserve, both were showing Beltex X. Champion Single Butcher’s Lamb went to Robin Slade of Leominster, Herefordshire, with a Dutch Texel, and Messrs R Hall & Son took the Reserve with a Beltex.

Taking the honours in the Working Hunter Pony Championship was 12-year-old Olivia Lyall, from Whitby, riding Mrs Carr’s Heslington Goody Tiptoes. Reserve was Beth Driver of Glossop on Mrs C Hamilton’s Pop Star.

Jade Hind of Middlesbrough was Supreme Champion in the Ridden Coloured Horse or Pony Championship for the third year running on Diamond Onyx, a 15-year-old mare. Reserve Champion was Hannah Wyslych of Derbyshire riding Harvey, a seven-year-old gelding.

The Jefferson family of Whitby took the championship trophy in the Honey Show, winning The Yorkshire Herald Cup for the most points. Reserve was Dave Shannon of Wroot, Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

In the Poultry Show, the champion, a Black Rosecomb, was shown by Adrian Knaggs of Malton, North Yorkshire. The Supreme Champion honours in the Fancy Pigeon section of the Pigeon Show went to Johnny Sharpe of Otley, West Yorkshire, with an adult Black Nun. Keith & Gillian Robson of Hurworth, Darlington, won Best Fancy Flyer with a dun Checker and Best Show Racer went to Jimmy Fitzpatrick of Glasgow, who took the prize with a red Checker.

Dates for next year’s Countryside Live are Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October. The 2011 Great Yorkshire show runs from Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July.

Countryside Live 2010 - Already a Record Breaker!
Countryside Live Show Jumping Has The X Factor
East of England Winter Stock Festival to Smithfield Rescue