Blue skies and sunshine brought the 2014 Countryside Live to a close, as organisers announced one of the highest figures in its 12 year history. A total of 12,215 visitors came through the gates of the little sister event to the Great Yorkshire Show which took place over the weekend (Sat 18 and Sun 19 October). The attendance figure is the second highest, with the record standing at last year’s total of 12,689.
The rural extravaganza combined classes for cattle, sheep and horses with hands on activities, demonstrations and displays ranging from horse shoeing to tug of war contests, and from show jumping to mountain biking.
Bill Cowling, Show Director said: Countryside Live goes from strength to strength and this year is certainly one of the best, if not the best ever.
It is a mark of the stature of Countryside Live that so many of the livestock winners will go on to achieve further successes on the winter fat stock show circuit.
As soon as the gates opened, there was a steady flow of people coming in, and the atmosphere’s been tremendous. It’s very much a fun event, but it is also a wonderful showcase of the farming industry.
It was Ladies Day in the cattle section with heifers taking both the Supreme Championship and Reserve. For the fifth time Phil and Sharon Sellers took the top honours at Countryside Live with their 604kg Limousin cross heifer “More of That”. The Reserve title was taken by the Alford Showteam from Devon with their 562 kg British Blue cross, Pokerhontus – her first major show outing.
The pure bred Dutch Texels belonging to Ian Clough and family took the honours in the sheep section, winning both the Continental and overall championship. The 94kg pair of ewe lambs are from their 100 ewe flock at Pickering, North Yorkshire.
Winners included:
Livestock
Beef Section:
Supreme Beef Championship: Phil and Sharon Sellers of Lincoln with a Limousin X heifer “More of That.”
Supreme Baby Beef Championship: Limousin-sired ‘Miss Chief’ by Bailea BMW, shown by Phil and Sharon Sellers of Lincoln.
Champion animal owned and shown by a Yorkshire exhibitor: John Stephenson’s ‘Bordley Pot Black’ a Limousin X. Mr Stephenson farms at Bordley, Skipton.
Beef Young Handler Champion: Luke Wilkinson, aged 13, from Leyburn, North Yorkshire with a Limousin X.
Sheep Section: Continental & Single Championship, Ian Clough of Pickering, North Yorkshire with a pair of 94kg Dutch Texel ewe lambs.
Sheep Young Handlers: Championship, Richard Lancaster, aged 14 of Clitheroe, Lancs with a Blue Texel x Beltex gimmer lamb.
Equine
Mountain & Moorland (Olympia Qualifier)
Emma Boardman of Garstang, Preston riding her 4 year old Welsh Section D gelding Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso.
Coloured Horse and Pony Championship:
Subtle Affair (Peggy) – ridden by Kimberley Dyson, owned by Marie Dyson, of Brighouse, West Yorkshire
Ridden Hunter Pony Championship
Thomas Walmsley of Harrogate riding a 6 year old mare, Lishmar Hazel.
Search for Talented Showjumper
Winner: Lara Gorse, 12, of Loughborough riding Covenham Jade.
Northern Show Cross: Junior Inter Team Relay Champions
Alan Scott Team, Darlington – Shauna Carman, Georgia Garnett, Rachel Proudley
Northern Show Cross: Senior Inter Team Relay Champions
Jack Thomas Watson Horse Sales Team: Kaylie Ritson, of Morpeth, Samantha McNicholas, of Darlington and Hollie Davison, of Durham
Pigeon Championship
Best Fancy Pigeon: Keith and Gill Robson, Darlington
Best Fancy Flying Pigeon: Thomas Gardiner, Durham.
Poultry Championship
Supreme Champion of Show: Barrie Alcock and John Fawcett, of Great Ayton
Horticulture
Lishman Cup for Best Exhibit in Chrysanthemums: David Greaves, Knaresborough, and also Best Vase in Show.
The Staveley Challenge Cup for the Best Exhibit in Vegetable Classes: Mr and Mrs David Peel of Mirfield.
Harrogate Garden Society Cup for Best Exhibit in Miscellaneous Flower Classes: Brian Chatten, Knaresborough.
Honey
Blue Ribbon Award for Best Exhibit in Show,: Terry Head, Doncaster
The Horsman Cup for Best Light Honey: Alan Brown, Pontefract.
