ENTRIES are flooding in for an autumn show which will see the best of Yorkshire’s cattle, sheep, horses and poultry on display.

Countryside Live – regarded as the Little Sister of the Great Yorkshire Show - will see thousands of visitors descend on Harrogate's Great Yorkshire Showground over October 18 and 19 to cast their eye over prize-winning animals and home-grown fruit and vegetables.

Bill Cowling, show director, said: “Countryside Live has forged its own place in the rural calendar and although it is very different to the Great Yorkshire Show, the core ethos is the same – to showcase the importance of British farming and to provide a fun and educational day out, particularly for those with younger families.”

In the livestock sections, the beef and sheep classes are judged on Saturday with the championships, including young handler sections, taking place the following day. James Alexander, of County Antrim, has the task of deciding the cattle with Alex Brown, of Darwen, Lancashire, in charge of the sheep.

In the equine section there are classes for Mountain and Moorland ponies, lead rein and first ridden as well as working hunter ponies.

The event is a qualifier for the Blue Chip BSPS Heritage Mountain and Moorland Ridden Championship in December at Olympia.

There are classes for coloured horses and ponies, working hunter ponies as well as the popular fancy dress competition for youngsters under 16.

All the equine classes include a special prize for the highest placed Yorkshire based pony and rider.

The closing date for submitting entries for the beef cattle, sheep and equine sections is Friday, September 5, Friday, September 12 for pigeons, poultry and honey.

The fruit and vegetable classes are again organised through the Knaresborough Horticultural Society with entries being taken until October 16.

Adult tickets are £9, a children’s ticket is £5, and a family ticket, admitting two adults and three children, is priced at £24.

Tickets will also be available on the gates, which are open from 9am to 5.30pm each day.

Parking is free and extensive.

To download an entry form go to www.countrysidelive.co.uk