What appalling luck for the show committee at Gargrave who had to cancel today's planned event after all their hard work.

The show field in front of Eshton Hall was waterlogged on Tuesday after prolonged rain in Craven just as the three days of setting-up was about to begin.

Alternative proposals were discussed but abandoned bearing in mind a dismal weather forecast for the remainder of the week.

Gargrave has a formidable livestock reputation with both its dairy and sheep classes usually attracting some of the biggest names in the showing world in the west of the county and further afield. But it is also well-liked for its variety of races, ranging from fell-running to terrier races and even one known as a novelty obstacle race.

Tomorrow is the turn of Mirfield show. About this time of summer there is a slight lull as the August Bank Holiday approaches. That leaves the way clear for the largest and one of the few coast and country shows: Egton, near Whitby on Wednesday. It is another that has steadfastly kept to its midweek date and has always attracted holidaymakers. This is shrewd, a weekend date can mean you miss out on holidaymakers who are arriving and departing.

Egton Horse and Agricultural Show is one of those traditional moors events that attracts a strong heavy horse section. There are 11 classes for sheep breeds and the cattle classes include Dexter, Holstein, Friesian, Ayrshire and Highland. Local Glaisdale man Neil Fletcher won here with his Highlands two years ago and he is looking to repeat that success.

All shows need committed people and at Egton they have a great team which includes their president Frank Stainthorpe of Hutton Mulgrave, himself a heavy horse exponent, and general secretary Daphne Jackson of Fryup. This will be the 119th show and will be held, as ever, at the permanent Egton Cross site.

There is then a two-day break before next Saturday sees an onslaught of seven shows in five days. It's one of the heaviest periods of show activity in the calendar and by now should be testing the resolve of anyone who does intend to get around every show.

Next Saturday, Wensleydale Show, held in Leyburn, will be the 94th show. It is now held just off Bellerby Road a little further north of the livestock market heading towards Bellerby. This is always a strong show for cattle entries, and sheep fare well too, but they also use their main ring well.

Their attractions this year are also a little different to the rest of the Yorkshire season with the MegaMinis bound to cause a stir, and some errant ducks bringing their own brand of mayhem.

The MegaMini is a double engine four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer machine with two 1300cc Metro engines.

Each end has its own fuel tank (hope you're following this) and battery, making each end driveable independent of each other.

The ducks – known as the Drakes of Hazzard – are Indian Runner Ducks which jaunt across bridges and a rope bridge called Bridge over the River Quack.

They're also good at rounding up children. Now there's a real plus.