Plans are well underway for the 2011 Countryside Live which takes place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October at the Great Yorkshire showground. Now firmly established on the rural calendar, it’s a great day out for all the family, a super showcase for first class livestock, and with an ever expanding equine section. This will be the ninth Countryside Live and last year’s event was a record breaker with 10,221 people attending. It is staged by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, best known as the organiser of the annual Great Yorkshire Show.
Young sheep exhibitors Richard Lancaster (10) (left) and William Whitwell (11) at Countryside Live 2010
Bill Cowling, Show Director said:
Countryside Live has a different, more personal atmosphere than the Great Yorkshire Show. It’s predominantly an indoor event and though there’s lots to see and do, being more compact, it’s very easy to get around. The classes for cattle and sheep are always filled to capacity, which are of interest both to farmers as well as the general visitor. There are dozens of things for youngsters get stuck into – from tackling the climbing wall to face painting to badge making!
The competitive classes are at the heart of the show with judging of the beef and sheep taking place across both days. And, as well as the experts, young people have an important part to play when they take to the rings to show their animals – which for some, will be their showing debut. “They are the future of the industry” said Mr Cowling.”It’s wonderful to see youngsters, some aged only eight or nine, proudly presenting their stock to the judges.”
Equine classes were introduced in 2008 and are now a major feature of the event. For the first time the Show is a qualifier for the Mountain and Moorland Ridden section at Olympia. Countryside Live is the last qualifying event on the calendar and equine entries generally are already extremely strong. There are also classes for Mountain and Moorland lead rein and first ridden, coloured horses and ponies, working hunter ponies and the hugely popular Fancy Dress competition will also feature.
The Search for a Talented Show Jumper competition made its debut last year hosted and judged by Olympic stars, Graham and Tina Fletcher. This proved hugely popular and will take place again at the 2011 event.
New for this year are sheep dog displays by Carol and Philip Mellin, stars of TV’s popular “The Dales” programme, and the fun-filled Sheep Show. This fashion show for sheep takes catwalk modelling to a new level with Nobby the Norfolk, Lenny the Lincoln Longwool and friends taking to the runway. And for the first time, the event will host the National Apple Show complementing the established horticultural section organised by Knaresborough Horticultural Society.
Fans of the popular dog agility demonstrations will not be disappointed and Ben Potter’s display with his amazing birds of prey will be turning heads skywards. And those who fancy their chances as the next Robin Hood can get “hands on” in the archery area.
For more information see www.countrysidelive.co.uk or for tickets call 01423 541222.
