All things Equine at the Great Yorkshire Show 2009

Top-class showjumping and the chance to see outstanding examples of different horse breeds await visitors at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

Around 2,000 horses and ponies will compete in the equine classes held during the north’s leading agricultural event, which takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate from Tuesday 14 – Thursday 16 July.

Showjumping has always been a major feature of the show, attracting entries from across the county. With a course created by internationally-renowned designer Bob Ellis and prize money totalling £40,820, this year will be no exception.

Competitions include the William Hanson Stakes, Great Yorkshire Championship and the Badsworth Stakes Accumulator, with the pinnacle being the popular Ripon Select Foods Cock o’ the North Championship. Held in the Main Ring on the final afternoon of the Show, the winner will ride away with £7,000 and the Perpetual Silver Challenge Trophy. Competition is always fierce, and spectators will be eager to learn who will succeed last year’s winner, Laura Stephenson of Keighley, West Yorkshire, on Harvey Smith’s Sultano.

The 2009 Show also sees the introduction of an all-weather collecting ring next to the White Rose Ring. The new facility, installed by King Pin Arenas, is part of a £100,000 programme to improve drainage around the Showground.

Mr Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director, explained: “The new ring is a great addition to our already excellent facilities here at the Great Yorkshire Showground and puts us among the best agricultural shows in terms of the amenities we offer for our equine classes.

“It also gives us more choices if the weather proves less than ideal. While we hope the 2009 Show will enjoy brighter skies than last year, the new ring is big enough to hold competitive classes if the ground is unsuitable elsewhere.”

Other additions this year are two new qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show. The winners of the Shires, 2 Years or Over and Lead Rein Pony of Hunter Type classes will now be eligible to enter this prestigious annual event, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC in October.

Ridden Hunters, Mountain & Moorland and Private Driving are other very popular classes in the equine section and the premier in-hand class, the Cuddy Supreme Championship, will be judged on the final afternoon of the Show.

The popular Shetlands, side-saddle and driving sections and children’s lead classes will also take place over the three days, with entries expected to be high in all areas.

Staff at the Great Yorkshire Showground were delighted to receive further testament to the quality of equestrian section recently when it was voted the British Show Jumping Association Members County Show of the Year.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this wonderful award. Showjumping has always been a major part of the Great Yorkshire Show and we pride ourselves on the care we take in preparing the ground and the tremendous support we receive from exhibitors,” said Mr Cowling.

Tickets for the Great Yorkshire Show are on sale now and can be obtained either via the phone: 01423 541222 or on line – www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk