Countryside Live’s anniversary event attracting record entries

Now in its tenth anniversary year, entries are flooding in for the event, which will be staged at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground.

Equine figures currently stand at a record 302 compared with last year’s best of 225, and entries are expected to continue to increase as the closing date for the Talented Show Jumper competition, hosted by Graham and Tina Fletcher, is not until October 1.

Countryside Live will take place on Saturday October 20 and Sunday October 21, with the equine classes taking place both in the famous Main Ring and in the indoor arena.

Bill Cowling, Countryside Live’s honorary show director, is thrilled with the interest in this year’s event, especially in a landmark year.

“I am absolutely delighted that in our anniversary year we have such super figures,” said Cowling.

“The equine section has grown tremendously since it was introduced in 2008 and we’re still taking entries for the Talented Show Jumper competition as that doesn’t close until early October.

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

Classes at Countryside Live range from ridden, to in hand, to the children’s fancy dress, and a new section for ridden heavy horses has been introduced.

For the first time the event will also include a new competition encompassing both show jumping and cross country.

Entitled The Northern Show Cross Series Final, the event is sponsored by Bishop Burton College and will take place in the Main Ring.

The top 10 riders from the heats which have been running across Yorkshire since April will compete in the final.

The Show Cross action kicks off at 12.30pm on the Sunday with a testing course combining show jumps and rustic fences.

The equine classes will begin at 9am on the Saturday with the ridden mountain and moorland – a qualifier for Olympia – and at the same time on Sunday with the ridden coloured horses and ponies.

There are also sections for cattle, sheep and horses as well as for pigeons, poultry and honey.

In all, a record breaking total of 3,033 has been announced, compared with last year’s previous best of 2,843.

For the first time, Countryside Live will also feature a ‘One Man and His Pig’ event with handlers showing how difficult it can be to navigate a pig around an obstacle course, plus there will be a number of different breeds on show.

The Rare Breeds’ Survival Trust will also make its debut at the event with Irish Moiled and British White cattle, a Dartmoor Pony and 10 sheep breeds to view.

Also new will be a mountain biking course, ferret racing as well as the ever-popular Sheep Show, 
archery, the Diggerland Experience, and regional food and drink to taste and buy.

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.”

Tickets can be bought in advance or on the gate, with adult tickets priced at £10 on the gate and £8 in advance.

Tickets for children – aged between five and eight – are £5 on the gate and £4 in advance.

A family ticket – which admits two adults and up to three children – is priced at £28 on the gate and £22 in advance.

Parking is free and extensive and there will also be a free shuttle bus service on Railway Road at the Showground from Sainsbury’s to the Blue Entrance and return, 8am-6pm on both days, with two double decker buses operating a continuous service.

Dogs, other than assistance dogs, are not allowed on the showground.

For more information visit www.countrysidelive.co.uk

‘Teeth and Toes’ speakers John Cranage and James Haigh will hold a talk on equine dentistry and remedial shoeing next Monday, October 1 at Suddaby’s Crown Hotel in Wheelgate, Malton.

The event will begin at 7.30pm with a pie and pea supper also served, all for just £3 per person.

To confirm attendance, for catering purposes please contact Fran Mason at [email protected] or call 07598 221 194.