Growing demand makes Glendale Show a potential record breaker

Glendale Show is gearing up to welcome a record-breaking livestock entry this year after introducing new classes in response to demand from exhibitors.
Glendale Show. Champion of Champions of Glendale Show 2013 'Maximum' L-R Neil Stack, Julie Sedgewick.Glendale Show. Champion of Champions of Glendale Show 2013 'Maximum' L-R Neil Stack, Julie Sedgewick.
Glendale Show. Champion of Champions of Glendale Show 2013 'Maximum' L-R Neil Stack, Julie Sedgewick.

The annual showcase, held at the showground, Wooler, on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, will be staging new pedigree cattle and non-MV Suffolk sheep classes as part of a raft of additional classes.

Now in its 122nd year, Glendale Show is aiming to build on the record 400-plus head of livestock that were exhibited in 2013. Andrew Walton, chief livestock steward and a director of show organisers, the Glendale Agricultural Society (GAS), said: “We are delighted that in recent years the livestock classes at Glendale Show have seen resurgence and have gone from strength to strength.

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“To meet the growing interest we have incorporated some new sheep and cattle classes to appeal to both existing and new exhibitors and we do hope that once again the younger generation will be well represented.

Glendale ShowGlendale Show
Glendale Show

“We are attracting exhibitors from further afield and as usual have a very high calibre of judges.”

A major extension of the sheep section will include four classes for non-MV Suffolks: shearling ram; ram lamb; ewe or gimmer; and ewe lamb. The new flock competition is also a first for the show, and will appraise the overall husbandry and performance of commercial flock entrants.

GAS decided to bring in pedigree cattle classes following requests from breeders and exhibitors at last year’s show.

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Livestock steward Ian Murray said: “By extending our range of classes, we expect to attract not only new exhibitors but additional visitors to the show. The audience loves to see cattle on display, and of course, it’s a very worthwhile enterprise for exhibitors who have a good shop window ahead of the autumn sales.”

The main ring Grand Parade, sponsored by Davidsons Animal Feeds, which culminates in the crowning of the show’s Champion of Champions, sponsored by John Swan, will feature the winners of the cattle, sheep, horse, donkey and goat sections.

The show’s sponsors are its lifeblood, without whose generosity the show would struggle to exist.

Each year the show costs in the region of £100,000 to stage and it would not happen without their support.

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This year, Carrs Billington is sponsoring the livestock points competition, which has a top prize of £200.

The contest allocates points from first to third place in all the sheep and cattle classes, with the exhibitor collecting the most during the show winning the money.

Also new for this year is Hexham Auction Mart Co Ltd who are sponsoring the Interbreed Championship, and Garth Thompson Wealth Management are sponsoring the cattle section.

In addition to the livestock classes, Glendale 2014 will be offering its usual wide mix of competitions, entertainment and trade stands.

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The equine classes, which will occupy the main ring in the morning, include showjumping, hunter, ex-racehorse, Arab, coloured horses and children’s classes, plus the children’s ridden fancy dress contest.

Main ring entertainment will include The Kangaroo Kid, aka Australian world record-breaking stuntman Matt Coulter, who performs breathtaking stunts on a quad bike, and will this year be joined in the ring by his son Sam; the New Zealand-based Sheep Show, a fun educational show featuring different breeds and sheep that dance for the audience; an air display of thrilling low-level aerial acrobatics from a privately-owned stunt biplane; falconry displays; sheep racing; fell racing; rural crafts; countryside and food marquees; vintage machinery; chainsaw carving; children’s entertainment and live music.

Gates open at 9am.

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