The Suffolk County Show still maintains the core of being an agricultural show at its heart. Visitors were able to view large numbers of livestock at the show with beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs and goats all on display and competing in the various classes. All the major tractor manufacturers were on display represented by the local dealers along with the latest in agricultural machinery. There was also a display of vintage tractors for visitors to enjoy. In the Adams food court, a number of local producers could be found with food and drink to sample and purchase. Items including meat, beer, cider, fruit juice, wine, crisps, jams, chutneys and coffee were on offer.
Horses form a large part of the show with classes for heavy breeds, see separate report, and a huge number of light horses both ridden and in-hand. Most are there to try and qualify for shows like Horse of the Year and Royal Horse Show. An end of show competition puts all the breed Champions, both heavy and light against each other for the title of Suffolk Show Supreme in-hand Champion. Having been won the last couple of years by the heavy horses this year saw the honour go to a light horse, Champion Sport Horse Lancer IV who has a very important owner, Her Majesty the Queen. On hearing the news her horse had won she was said to be delighted. The show jumping competitions attracted some of the Countries top riders and horses to go against the best of local talent. The main competitions took place in the Grand Ring. Day one saw the welcome stakes open the show where Philip Miller and Native Warrior take the win. Later in the day the International Trial was won by Tracey Priest riding Caristo VDL while to close the day’s competition Joe Clayton won the Suffolk Speed Stakes with Carolus K. Day two saw Tim Davies win the Accumulator riding Tullylost Meryl while the shows main event International Stairway went to Laine Smith with Wellington M. The prize for best Suffolk rider and horse combination went to Tim Davies and Lionel Van Markieslanden while best overall rider went to Charlotte Clarke with Doriena. The other main competition taking place in the Grand Ring was the popular scurry where a pair of ponies are driven with a four-wheel cart around a course laid out with cones against the clock with penalties for ant cones knocked over. The over 122cm class was won by Dark Horse Fred & Barney driven by Gareth Roberts while the under 122cl class and overall Champion went to Osborne Refrigerators Woody & Buzz driven by Alison Osborne.
Though the show is an agricultural one it also caters for everyone. Around the site there is a large shopping area with stalls selling all sorts of items, a sport zone, equestrian village featuring demonstrations from the Suffolk Horse Society and Side-saddle Association, education zone, military zone and motoring zone. Local dealers had the latest models on display from most of the main car manufacturers while the Suffolk Off-road club were offering rides around an off-road course purpose built to test their vehicles capability. A traditional fairground offered more activity for children while another area featured a display commemoration Suffolk’s contribution to the First World War. The centrepiece of this was the replica tank built as a project lead by popular motorcycle racer Guy Martin and featured on his Channel Four television series.
There was plenty of action in the Grand Ring apart from the show jumping and scurry. The heavy horse turnouts were featured both days along with a coaching competition, a rare sight at shows. The Boldog Lings FMX display team gave two displays a day of stunt jumping on their motocross bikes while highlight for most on each day was the Grand Parade. This saw the winners from all the cattle breeds parade along with sheep and heavy horses, an impressive and popular spectacle.
The show will return in 2019 at Trinity Park Ipswich on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st May, further information available by visiting www.suffolkshow.co.uk
Suffolk Show gallery https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2209863559281124
Side-saddle demonstration gallery https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2209856769281803
Gary Malkin
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