2013
214th Westmorland County Show – A Day to Remember
Record entries, a royal visit, a celebrity chef and tremendous support resulted in a truly outstanding Westmorland County Show. Enjoying its second highest attendance, more than 30,000 people flocked to the Crooklands Showground to enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of one of the oldest and largest one-day agricultural events in the country.
Every year is special but 2013 has certainly been a landmark with the first ever Royal visit in our 214-year history, when we were honoured to welcome HRH The Countess of Wessex to the Show (photo story inside).
A record 1,026 entries exhibited in the sheep section, which included the first Zwartbles Northern Show. Much to the delight of President Tom Gorst, first-time exhibitors at Westmorland, Dr & Mrs Giles Horner from Whitby took the lowland non-terminal championship with their Teeswater whilst Peter Woof of Stainton’s Texel took the lowland terminal honours. Keith & Elaine Stones triumphed for the eighth time in nine years taking the upland title.
Just 2 shy of the 2012 record, the cattle section attracted 478 entries, which included a Beef Shorthorn section for the first time. The overall beef championship was awarded to PR Dawes home-bred limousin cow, Dinmore Elegance, travelling from Hereford, whilst top honours in the dairy section went to Messrs Butterfield of Bentham. The Grand Parade was definitely a highlight with more cattle than ever taking part. Young Handler classes in both sheep and cattle attracted record entries and keen competition, whilst the supreme champion pig championship was awarded to 18-year old Sarah Whitley with her Gloucester Old Spot boar, Birchfield Rufus. Entries in both the alpaca and poultry sections increased, with 136 exhibits in the egg classes alone.
Among the special guests were National Farmers’ Union Vice President Adam Quinney and TV chef Phil Vickery, who was a star attraction in the food theatre, with hundreds of people watching his demonstrations. Alongside compere Peter Gott, Phil showed visitors how to make and cook Cumberland sausages.
Relocating the Members marquee to the newly created terrace area overlooking the Main Ring was hailed a great success, with nothing but positive comments received. Almost 40 exhibits were on display in the extended Vintage area, including newly-weds Edward & Charlotte Woof’s wedding tractor.
President, Tom Gorst, along with wife Barbara, thoroughly enjoyed his day. “The Show is a major showcase for farming in this area. There was a vast amount for people to see and hopefully many more will now appreciate where their food comes from.”
The marquees boasted quality exhibits with almost 50 stands in the Learning for Life Marquee, many of them interactive, whilst the WI’s “On the Wild Side” theme attracted over 1,000 entries from throughout the county. Meanwhile the magnificent Food Hall was a festival in itself showcasing more producers than ever before. Alongside the ever-popular Sheep Show, competition in the Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling area played to a packed ringside, whilst the Cumbrian Axemen delighted the crowds with their breathtaking demonstrations.
Without doubt there was something for everyone and a great day out, made possible by the visitors, exhibitors, volunteer stewards and judges who supported the 214th Westmorland County Show – a huge thank you to you all.
Madison reigns Supreme of Light Horse Section at County Show 2013
By Malcolm Bewsher
Carol Hodgson, Chief Steward of the light horse section and her hardworking team worked hard to keep all sections going at the 214th Westmorland County Show with excellent announcing by Simon Richardson also superb working hunter courses by Rachel Turner from Huddersfield.
The overall supreme of show was judged by Carol and Bert Morland of The Lunesdale Fell Ponies; Tebay and their choice was the ridden show pony champion Madison Steadman from Burnley, riding the seven year old mare Barkway Magic Moments by Beckside Little Toff and led by her mother Emma.Madison, Emma took over the pony after it won Horse of the Year Show last year when it won with Zara Clark-Jones and been a prolific winner this season at Lancashire venues.
The reserve was Kate Watson from Barrow riding Glens Cockbain’s six year old Dales pony mare Tarbarl Mary Jane by Carrock Billy Boy Kate won the overall mountain & moorland ridden championship and had wins this season at NPS Area 4 in hand and ridden at White Rose County, NPS Summer Championships and BSPS Area 1B. Kate also took the overall tricolour at Witherslack Horse Show three days later.
The fell pony championship went to David Morland from Tebay showing his daughter Rebecca”s six year old Mare Greenholme Beauty by Lunesdale Red Star bred by Bill Potter and won at Reeeth and Cartmel besides last years reserve supreme at Breed Show.
Courtney Read took reserve with the ridden winner Carrock Stormbreaker. The overall ridden hunter championship was won by Christine
Stamper (nee Richardson) riding W Regal Wood who claimed two tickets for next years Royal International with reserve going to Glossop’s Jenna Tydlesley riding Tudor Minstral, double winner and champion at HOY last year.
The skewbald & piebald championship was won by Preston’s Michelle
Cuerden riding Del Boy V with reserve going to Kendal’s Glen Allen riding his aunt Kath’s Millpond Look So Cheeky; the latter will be compeing in two finals at HOYS and was supreme at Derbyshire Festival and CHAPS Northern Show, Richmond.
Alasdair Prickett from Farleton riding the Irish bred Rocheston Prince scored a hat trick in the working hunters including The Jennifer Harrison Memorial Trophy. Alasdair is bound for HOYS after qualifying at the BSPS Welsh Championships and also was reserve supreme working hunter at the Lancashire Championships and reserve Novice Champion at same venue. Beth Moore from Hincaster took the Equitaion Championship riding Prince of Spies.