The Great Yorkshire Show Ends on a High
Glorious sunshine brought the 152nd Great Yorkshire Show to a close, with the outgoing President, Richard Elmhirst handing over the staff of office to his successor, Sir Ken Morrison.
Attendance figures were amongst the highest in the events history 131,382 over the three days which is a rise for the fourth year in succession. The record stands at 135,111, established in 2006 and last years figure was 130,731.
Bill Cowling, Show Director said: This has been one of the finest Great Yorkshire Shows I can remember. The atmosphere has been tremendous, the standard of entries across the competitive classes has been outstanding, and we have achieved another superb attendance figure.
He added: Looking at the farming industry as a whole, theres certainly a growing confidence, and as one of the UKs top three agricultural shows, it is our responsibility to help foster that confidence. Our work supporting the industry goes on year round, and were already looking forward to our autumn event, Countryside Live.
Guests over the three days included HRH The Princess Royal, who delighted the crowds as she toured the showground. Part of her visit included presenting Loraine Homer of Oxon with the Archie Thomlinson trophy for the champion ridden horse as well as meeting livestock exhibitors, visiting the hound section and watching equine classes. On Thursday the Defra Secretary, Caroline Spelman visited the show meeting exhibitors and touring stands.
The roll of honour at the 2010 Great Yorkshire Show included:
Livestock
Supreme Beef Champion: a four year old Hereford bull, Romany 1 Captain, shown by Nesbitt Farms of Hungerford, Berks.
Supreme Dairy Champion: the Holstein breed champion, Saxelby Godwyn Rose, shown by Robert and Elaine Butterfield, of Bentham, Lancaster.
Supreme Sheep Champion: a Charollais aged ram shown by Peter and Janet Vaughan of Leominster.
BPA Pig of the Year: the 10 month old Saddleback boar shown by Will Edwards and Amanda Thomas of Newbridge Gwent.
Supreme Pig Champion: a Welsh 9 month old sow, Garsfield Nine 7 from B and M Mulkeens Garsfield herd of Wigan.
Equestrian
Show jumping: The Ripon Select Foods Cock o the North: Geoff Luckett riding Monline
Cuddy Supreme Champion: a Welsh C brood mare, Kirkhamgate Lady Rhiannon owned by Paul Smith and Dawn Gant of Normanton, Wakefield.
Top Spec Top othe North Supreme Ridden Championship: Rosemary Hetheringtons 6 year old cob Hallmark IX ridden and produced by Jack Cochrane of Worksop.
The Garden Show
The Doncaster Trophy for the Best in Show, went to the National Farmers Union with their horticultural stand.
Sheep Shearing
Yorkshire Shearer of the Year was won by Antony Rooke of Harome, Helmsley.
Next years Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 12 Thursday 14 July, and Countryside Live takes place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October. The shows are organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.