Kilnsey Show on track for record breaking year

The annual Dales showcase, renowned for its multi-breed sheep and cattle livestock classes, will shine the spotlight on hill farming, rural life and crafts and could well attract record entries across all classes this year, organisers the Upper Wharfedale Agricultural Society have said.

There will be more than 400 classes in total, alongside entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Horses will be put through their paces in the main arena, with show classes for heavy horses, working hunters, mountain and moorland, and ridden horse classes, along with local riding competitions.

Activities include dry stone walling, sheep dog trials, sheep shearing, fishing by the river, vintage tractors, produce, handicrafts, horticulture and photography.

The Sheep Show – complete with dancing sheep - returns this year, as does Ben Potter with his high-flying falconry display, along with John and Lou Close, of Langstrothdale Gun Dogs.

The area’s best-known chefs will showcase their skills in the cookery theatre, including The Angel Inn’s Bruce Elsworth, who will be swapping his chef’s whites for running shoes later in the day to compete in the senior fell race, John Rudden, of Grassington House Hotel, and Rudding Park’s Stephanie Moon.

Kilnsey Show gates open to visitors at 9am and goes on until 7pm. Admission is £10 for adults, £2 for children 16 and below, with the under 5s free.