Traditional show marks 70th year

Cranleigh Show celebrated its 70th anniversary on Sunday June 19, maintaining one of England's best-loved rural traditions '“ the agricultural show.

It was fantastic to see so many of the younger generation already bitten by the bug of livestock showing, learning how to present their animals in immaculate condition and control them in the ring. They are the future of shows like Cranleigh.

The weather was kind and families had a wonderful day out to celebrate Father’s Day as there were interesting things for everyone to enjoy.“It was a good show,” said Chairman Will Elliott, “We had particularly strong sheep entries and the horse show was very well supported. We had a good crowd, it was lovely to see the display of farming machinery since the war and we were pleased with the decision to move to a June date.”

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Extraordinary pyrotechnic aerobatics in the main arena saw motorcyclists from Moto-Stunts International hurling themselves through a wall of fire. And in complete contrast, the Concours d’Elegance turned the arena into a serene and colourful pageant of historically clad side-saddle riders. Stealing the show, and the championship, was 11-year-old Kate Hewson from Kingston wearing Balmoral tartan and riding the impeccably behaved Dartmoor pony New Oak Jester. She had only been learning side-saddle technique since October but her riding was flawless.

Cyril the Squirrel and his racing Terriers proved a hit with the crowds and everyone loved the donkeys.

The highlight of the show is the livestock parade, demonstrating the wonderful loyalty of our farmers as it is a terrific commitment of time, form filling, money and energy to bring animals to the show ring. The Beef Championship went to K Hasemore and S A Cobden’s magnificent Hereford bull Auckvale Juggler. Reserve was Mike Hind’s Simmental heifer in calf, Ravensdale Goldie 12th. His cow won reserve last year too, and he also produced champions in the preceding shows.

Champion sheep was Hannah Turner’s Southdown shearling ram from her Wealden Flock at Leigh. Reserve was Sarah Dunsden’s Poll Dorset ram from Ewhurst. Champion Pig was a British Saddleback gilt from Oaklands Pigs with D and C Crosdil’s Oxford Sandy and Black gilt, in reserve place.

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Champion Young Lamb Handler aged 8-13 was Cameron Clark, eight, from Tilford with a Zwartbles ram lamb. He was reserve last year. His family won the Any Continental Pure Breed Championship with a Zwartbles shearling ram. Carly Hughes, three, won the under 8s class with a Coloured Ryeland.

Holly Richardson from West Hoathly continued her amazing winning streak clinching Champion Junior Stockman. She has just won at Surrey County Show and Heathfield and was reserve at the South of England Show at Ardingly. And of course she won here at Cranleigh last year.

Local winners included Barry Myers from Godalming who took Reserve Hereford Champion with Boundless 1 Legacy. He won the Championship last year and is a staunch supporter of the show.

The horse show was a great success once more. Supreme Ridden Champion went to a stunning coloured maxi-cob, Helen Baker’s Dr Who, known as Sid. She had only owned him for three weeks and this was their first competition together. Reserve went to Carl Standing from Horsham with his impressive Irish Draught Golden Inca Cross. The Scurry Championship was won with high speed and courageous driving by Karen Morris from Liphook with her match palominos Suited and Booted. Reserve went to Paul Isaac with Fast and Furious. They had come all the way from Swansea!

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