A COUNTRY show has for the first time recognised the efforts of people who have rescued and re-homed badly treated horses.
The Huby and Sutton Show took place in glorious sunshine yesterday in the grounds of Sutton Park, at Sutton on the Forest north of York, attracting large crowds.
It featured new, experimental classes for rescue horse and pony - both in hand and ridden- which were open to any animals which have been rescued and re-homed by charities such as the RSPCA and Redwings, often after fly grazing on roadside verges.
The show's horse secretary Shelagh Tinnion said there had been more than 40 entries from all over the area, bidding to win the Cooper-Wilson Trophy.
Sally Bunce, who volunteers for Cooper Wilson and has fostered 11 horses herself, said the special classes were a way of saying thank you to the people who rehome such animals, many of which would never be suitable for other show classes.
The 122nd show also featured everything from a falconry display and gymkhana to a scarecrow competition, buggy driving, showjumping, classic cars, while the judges viewed livestock and farm produce including cattle, sheep and goats.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here