THERE was an array of beautifully turned out stock in the cattle and sheep classes at Ashwater Agricultural Show on Saturday, August 17.

This year marked the 71st show and was presided over by the presidents, Graham and Josephine Kirk, who officially opened the show at 1pm with a welcoming address.

They thanked Mr Bryan Lewens for the use of the showground field and Dave Butler and the Hemmings family for the use of their field for car parking.

Show secretary Fiona Allen said: “The show was very lucky again with the weather, only a couple of showers during the day which didn’t affect any of the events taking place.”

Horse classes commenced bright and early and the morning saw strong competition in the horse, pony and novelty classes, while children enjoyed taking part in the gymkhana which is always a favourite with the young riders. The horse events were rounded off in the afternoon with a popular show jumping competitions.

After the show was officially opened in the main ring, there was a parade of vintage tractors where the presidents awarded The Rodney Brock Memorial Cup for the presidents’ choice award, sponsored by Pat May Drainage and Groundwork’s, to the winning tractor owned by Luke Furse. A parade of the South Tetcott Hunt Hounds and the Lamerton Hunt Hounds was followed by a parade of Danny Robert’s well turned out Shire Horses.

During the day the farmers of the future demonstrated their excellent skills in the young handler’s classes.

The feather classes were finally able to take place again after the Avian flu epidemic and were showcased in the Fur and Feather tent along with the rabbits and guinea pigs.

There was also a good turnout for the family fun dog show which has always proved to be very popular.

The show was held in conjunction with Ashwater Horticultural Show who were thankfully back on the showground after their marquee was blown away last year! People from across the Parish demonstrated their skills in a range of classes from flower arranging to homemade preserves. The craft tent was full of local crafts people selling a showcase of their products and the PTA attending with a cake stand.

The Bouncy Castle and slide were a great hit in keeping the children amused during the day along with Clay Laser Pigeon Shooting and other amusements. John and Kate Tidball musicians and The Holsworthy Band kept people entertained by playing throughout the afternoon.

There were many prize winners throughout the day with those winning cups in the livestock and horse classes listed below:

• Glass Bowl for Supreme Champion Cattle – Steven Ley

• The L Rockett Cup – Ellenor Taylor

• The Ken Jones Cup for Young Handlers Cattle – Jack Moon

• Mr & Mrs G King Cup for Young Handlers Sheep – Amy Cobbledick

• Supreme Champion Sheep sponsored by Mr and Mrs S J Griffin and presented with a glass bowl – Jacqui Savill

• Ashwater Show Cup for Sheep Female Champion – Jacqui Savill

• Frank Howard Cup for Sheep Male Champion – Rory Honeychurch & Thomas Mounce

• C K Jones Cup for most points gained in Sheep Classes – Jack & Reggie Kirk

• H Newcombe Cup for Best Pen of Lambs – Kezia Ryan

• Supreme Championship (all Champions) sponsored by Carey Valley Woodlands and presented with the Michael Drowne Cup – Sue Smith

• Best Pony Cup Champion – Mrs A Stephen

• Kivells Cup Best Mountain & Moorland Pony – Sue Smith

• Den Piper Cup Best Turned Out & Veteran Champion – E Beardon;

• Small Animal classes: Best Guines Pig (short hair) – Danielle Edgson, (long hair) – Currah Family

• Best Rabbit – Danielle Edgson

• Pure Bred Large Fowl – Currah Family

• Pure Bred Bantam – Ronan Currah

• Any other variety – Albie Bird

• Large Waterfowl – Erin Currah

• The Gerry Cup for Champion Bird – Currah Family

• Hay-Andrew Family Big Bale Silage- Lower Larkworthy Clamp Silage- S Furse

In the evening everyone let their hair down with the after show party, packed with locals and supporters for a great community get together dancing to the band Crazy Mama and DJ Baz Meeson with the Young Farmers manning the bar.

Fiona added: “The committee would like to reiterate its sincere thanks to all our sponsors, judges, programme advertisers and donors for their generous support of this year’s show as well as to our presidents Mr Graham and Mrs Josephine Kirk for carrying out their roles admirably. Thanks also to the Young Farmers Club for their hard work with various activities throughout the day.

“In addition the chairman, Mr Pat May, would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved, the members of the committee and all those non-members, villagers, family and friends who also generously give up their time to make the show a success, helping in preparation, setting up, fetching and carrying, selling dance tickets, selling draw books, lending equipment, providing refreshments, running bars, parking cars, making signs, cutting verges and hedges leading to the show ground, as well as clearing up afterwards!

“Finally a very big thank you to everyone who came and supported the show on the day, entered classes and took part in activities! Without the help and support of so many people the show would not be possible.”