A record number of horses have been entered for classes at the new look Yorkshire Vet at Countryside Live when a national farriers’ championship will also be held for the first time ever.
More than 450 equine entries have flooded in for the weekend event on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October, setting a new record.
The high level of entries is partly thanks to a new addition, The Showing Register’s North East Showing Finals, which culminates in the TSR Members’ Supreme Championship.
The Showing Register’s classes are in addition to the traditional favourites which focus on classes for young riders, including Coloureds, Mountain and Moorlands, Lead Rein and First Ridden and Pony Club Type as well as Working Hunter Pony classes.
In another first, the event has been chosen to host the National Championships for the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association, sponsored by NWT Horseshoes. Organiser Jason Gajaczak is expecting 45 competitors across the Apprentice and Senior classes, with a demonstration day on the Saturday and the championships decided on Sunday. The event takes place at the showground’s purpose-built forge.
The annual search for a Talented Showjumper, judged by Graham and Tina Fletcher, takes place throughout the weekend, with the Final on Sunday afternoon. The competition is open to riders aged ten and over and the winner will get to spend a couple of days at Graham and Tina’s yard. Among the competitors will be 10-year-old Lilly Aspell, from Richmond, who’s a star in her own right after playing the young Wonder Woman in the new DC Comics/Warner Bros feature film released in the summer.
The thrills and spills of the Northern Show Cross Finals are always a crowd-pleaser, with 90 in the individual competition and 60 teams.
Organiser Janice Mewse said:
I’m over the moon with the entries and we have a waiting list. The teams, in particular, are always well supported and are often putting in their entries for the following year on the day of the competition.
The riders are always thrilled by having the chance to compete in the main ring at the Great Yorkshire Showground and the competition has just grown and grown!
Other attractions include TV favourites Julian Norton and Peter Wright who star in “The Yorkshire Vet at Countryside Live” in three live shows in the main ring on both days. The collaboration between Countryside Live, The Yorkshire Vet and Channel 5 has led to rapid ticket sales.
Other new features include an expanded children’s section including Channel 5’s Milkshake! Live show and a pop up country pub with live acoustic music and quiz.
There will be a tasting hub and cookery theatre, shopping and a new look Create + Explore area with hands-on activities for children, face painting and much more. From horses to honey, pigs to poultry, sheep to cattle, pigeons to rabbits there are competitions and classes throughout the weekend, with around 2,000 animals on the showground, as well as birds of prey displays, hundreds of stands to browse and horticultural classes.
Tickets are available on the gates and parking is free and extensive. Please note dogs are not allowed on the showground. Book in advance to save money! www.countrysidelive.co.uk
