Peebles Show pulls in a record crowd

A record haul of entries and crowds of around 5,000 ensured this year's Peebles Agricultural Show was once again a huge success.
Champion of Champions at Peebles Show horse.Champion of Champions at Peebles Show horse.
Champion of Champions at Peebles Show horse.

The weather delivered a fine and dry afternoon and families, of farming stock and otherwise, flocked to the Nether Horsburgh Farm show ground near Cardrona on Saturday.

As ever, the highlight of any agricultural show is the parade of livestock and the choosing of the champion of champions and reserve.

Presenting Lady is Mrs Kathleen Laird, Blyth Farm, Blyth Bridge, West Linton with Reserve Champion sheep.Presenting Lady is Mrs Kathleen Laird, Blyth Farm, Blyth Bridge, West Linton with Reserve Champion sheep.
Presenting Lady is Mrs Kathleen Laird, Blyth Farm, Blyth Bridge, West Linton with Reserve Champion sheep.
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It was Cheryl McVay’s large ridden hunter, Balinkill, from Moffat, which picked up the title of champion of champions. The show-topping entry, has previously picked up the Graham Irvine Cup for light horse champion earlier in the day before adding the Jimmy Johnston Trophy for overall show champion to its name.

The overall reserve champion title went to W& J Thomson’s North Coutry Cheviot ewe, which earlier in the day had taken the William Forbes Cup for sheep inter-breed champion. It was bred by William Thomson, of Hownam Grange, Kelso.

Show president Bill Brown was delighted by both the number and quality of entries on the day.

He said: “The horse entries were up a lot with over 200 horse competitors which is almost a record for us.

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“We had almost 1,000 sheep and around 100 cattle, 200-odd poultry, 60 eggs, about 50 fleeces and an epic number of about 120 sheep sticks.

“The women’s institute tent was really full aswell.

“Everything was really well attended included the craft fair and food hall.

“We had Quality Meat Scotland doing a cooking demonstration which was great. Forsyth’s of Peebles butchers doing a meat cutting demonstration which was really interesting before the chef cooked it. That proved very popular.”

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For those 5,000 visitors throught he gates, the show also boasted a variety of activities including the traditional favourites such as carriage- driving, showjumping and stock judging.

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Children enjoyed the seeing the mini donkeys and the popular sheep dog demonstration, and aside from the sheep, cattle, poultry and equestrian classes there were also rabbits, the children’s pet show, the horse fancy dress contest and main ring entertainment from Peebles Young Farmers’ Club.

“It was an excellent day,” Bill added. “We were really lucky with the weather so it was really busy – probably the biggest crowd we have ever had.

“It’s probably the first show we have had since we moved to Nether Horseburgh five years ago, what we’ve actually had nice weather, and that really makes such a difference.

“Quintin Thomas ran a free vintage bus back and forwards all day, too, which was an attraction on its own.”

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Having now completed his second and final year as president, Bill added: “It couldn’t be done without all the volunteers, farmers and local people who help us.

“We were really grateful to all our returning and new sponsors.

“I have really enjyoed it but it’s a lot of work.”

The Royal Bank of Scotland Cup for cattle inter-breed champion went to JIan McGarva with his British blue heifer.

The Mascott Bond trophy for the best trade stand went to MKM Building Supplies, while the James Burrie Perpetual Trophy for the most points went to Scott and Gavin Brown.

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The best craft stand title was awarded to Miss Annie Mouse. The trophies were presented by the president’s wife ,Margaret Brown.

Presenting lady at the show as Kathleen Laird from Blyth Farm, Blyth Bridge, West Linton.

The over champion tractor was Tam McDonald’s champion show tractor, with reserve champion going to Michael White’s winning working tractor.