Fun in the rings as thousands enjoy Driffield Show

Judging in the sheep rings at Driffield Show. Pictures by James Hardisty.

East Yorkshire's biggest agricultural show enjoyed a bounce in sheep entries as it welcomed around 25,000 visitors from across the region.

There were 100 extra sheep put forward for classes for the 142nd show, chief sheep steward Richard Dee said, with a resurgence in popularity of native breeds fuelling the rise.

It was Hovingham-based Abbie Tooze’s gimmer shearling Suffolk was named the supreme sheep, and in dramatic circumstances as the sheep bucked and ran free in the ring, knocking over the trophy and causing it to break into two pieces.

Annie Turnbull paraded the supreme beef winner, Mr B, an Aberdeen Angus, and the dairy champion was a Holstein shown by the Waring family of Cherry Burton.

Show judge Dick Robinson, 90, judging roses in the six large flowered bloom class.

Entertainment on a warm show day included performances by Goole-based Atkinson’s Action Horses. Equine classes, horticultural exhibits and vintage machinery also caught the eye.

David Tite, chief executive of show organisers, Driffield Agricultural Society, said: “The show has such a large amount of agricultural content and I am so proud of that.”

For a full show report, see Saturday’s Country Week.