Gloom over show season eased as 3,000 enter Countryside Live

More than 3,000 entries have already been received for the classes at the farming showcase at the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate.

A total of 3,033 entries have been registered so far in the cattle, sheep and horses sections as well as for pigeons, poultry and honey. The tally is well ahead of last year’s best of 2,843.

Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director said: “I am absolutely delighted that in our anniversary year we have such super figures, and we’re still taking entries for the Talented Show Jumper competition as that doesn’t close until early October.”

The numbers will please organisers looking to put behind the disappointment of the Great Yorkshire Show’s cancellation in July when bad weather left parts of the site unsafe.

Mr Cowling added: “Countryside Live has its roots firmly in the rural community and is a prestigious fatstock show – many prize winners go on to take red rosettes at other top shows, but it has also grown to become a great family day out.

“Hopefully we’ll have a good crowd to come and enjoy the fun and see all that’s best about British farming.”

Cattle entries stand at 205 and will be judged by Hugh Dunlop of Cummnock, Ayrshire, while sheep numbers are 274, equalling last year’s figure, and will come in front of Andrew Atkinson of Harrogate, with Alison North of Doncaster judging the young handler classes.

Equine numbers are at an all-time high – totalling 302 compared with last year’s 225.

“This section has grown tremendously since it was introduced in 2008,” said Mr Cowling. “And this year for the first time we have the finals of the Northern Show Cross Series which will add a new fast-paced element, and our Main Ring will be the perfect backdrop.”