12,000 people flock to Countryside Live Show

Celebrating the 17th year, the two-day event in Harrogate saw Julia Bradbury headlining for the first time, with surprise guest Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen making an appearance on the main stage.

Crowds swarmed to see Julian Norton on the Sunday and Peter Wright on the Saturday - both stars of The Yorkshire Vet.

Charles Mills, show director, said: “We had two days of celebrating the very best of farming with some tough competition in the judging rings and plenty of entertainment for families.

“We offered plenty of hands-on experiences for children to learn about the countryside in a fun and interactive way.”

More than 2,000 animals flocked the showground to compete in a variety of categories, from The Supreme Championship to Ridden Mountain and Moorland competition.

The Supreme Championship in the new Pedigree Calf classes was won by Mark Hallam and David Wright with a British Blue heifer, Dewlands Olivia.

The reserve went to Martin Clough’s Red Lincoln heifer, Beverley Heroine.

The Champion Young Handler

title went to Ellie Roberts with a British Limousin heifer, Blaencwn Pixie, owned by Mr and Mrs D Davies.

In the sheep rings, competition was as fierce as ever for the Supreme Champion Pair of Butchers’ Lambs.

The title went to two Beltex cross gimmers owned by Ian, Mary and Richard Lancaster.

Reserve were Martin and Val Brown with a pair of Suffolk x Beltex gimmers.

Two young Cumbrians battled for the Sheep Young Handler title, with the Championship going to 11-year-old Oliver Watson with a Jacob, while seven-year-old Leah Parker took Reserve with a Texel x Beltex.

In the Honey section, the Yorkshire Post Cup for the most points in the show went to first-time entrant Josephine Anderson of Hebden Bridge.

It was her first-time showing honey produced from two hives at home and she also took another two trophies.

Organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Countryside Live is confirmed for 2020 with more events than ever.