Glorious sunshine and a thrilling climax to three days’ show jumping brought the 153rd Great Yorkshire Show to a close, with the visitor numbers just a touch below the all time record of 135,111 established in 2006. This year 135,086 people came through the gates of what is acknowledged as England’s premier agricultural show.
Guests included HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, who delighted the crowds as they toured the showground, adding an extra hour to their visit as they chatted to visitors and exhibitors. Record figures in the competitive classes with around 1,000 cattle, 2,000 sheep, over 2,000 horses and 400 pigs underlined show’s popularity with exhibitors.
The Cock o’the North show jumping Championship had a packed grandstand crowd on the edges of their seats as John Whitaker and son Robert, went head to head in the jump off. In the end, it was John who took the honours, bringing spectators to their feet in spontaneous applause. The Championship is sponsored by Ripon Select Foods.
Marking the start of preparations for next year’s Great Yorkshire, the outgoing President, Sir Ken Morrison handed over the staff of office to his successor, Raymond Twiddle.
Commenting on the three days, Bill Cowling, Show Director said: “We have had a tremendous Great Yorkshire Show – superb crowds, record entries across the competitive classes and lovely weather. Our aim is to provide a great day out and showcase the farming industry. I believe we have achieved that – re-enforcing our reputation as England’s premier show. Next on our agenda is our autumn event, Countryside Live which takes place here at the showground in October.”
The roll of honour at the 2011 Great Yorkshire Show included:
Livestock
Winner of the Burke Beef Trophy Trophy: An Aberdeen Angus pair shown by Peter Whittaker and Fraser Cormack of Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland.
Supreme Beef Champion: A 6 year old Beef Shorthorn bull, Trojan of Craigeassie belonging to Sally Horrell of Peterborough
Supreme Dairy Champion: Holstein fourth calver, Saxelby Goldwyn Rose owned by Robert and Elaine Butterfield of Bentham, Lancashire
Supreme Sheep Champion: a home-bred British Rouge ewe shown by Percy Tait, of Worcester.
BPA Pig of the Year: a Welsh gilt shown by Brooksby Empress 32 from Brooksby Melton College, Rugby.
Supreme Pig Champion: a Large White boar, Panorama Prince 20, run by Bleddyn and Chris Beck of Neath, South Wales.
Equestrian
Show jumping: The Ripon Select Foods Cock o’ the North: John Whitaker riding Peppermill
Cuddy Supreme Champion: A Welsh Section B pony Boreton White Prince owned by Ann and Len Bigley of Herts.
Top Spec Top o’the North Supreme Ridden Championship: Hallmark IX a 7 year old chestnut gelding owned by Miss Heather Boden and Mr T Clay of Astley, Lancs.
Around the Show
The Garden Show
The Doncaster Trophy for the “Best in Show” went to Derbyshire Bonsai from Chesterfield.
Landscape Garden Competition: winners were David Wood Landscapes of Bradford
Cheese & Dairy Show: The Prince of Wales Award for Outstanding Quality: Ryeburn of Helmsley, North Yorkshire, Quickes Traditional Ltd of Devon, Singleton’s Dairy of Longridge, Preston, and milk from a British Saanen goat, Lyncol Betemba.
Supreme Champion Dairy Product: Westland:Old Amsterdam cheese made by Bradbury & Son of Buxton.
Country Catwalk Stars in the Skipton Building Society Fashion Show
Winners were Raffaelle Guy, 24 of Tockwith, York and Thomas Lund, 28, of Malton.
Next year’s Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 July, and Countryside Live takes place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October. The shows are organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
