THE little sister of the Great Yorkshire Show opened its gates on Saturday for two days of agricultural excellence and fun for all the family.

Organisers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society reported that advance ticket sales were up 22 per cent on last year and were the highest for six years. This year’s figure was 1,759 compared with 1,439 in 2014; the figure included the sale of family tickets. In 2009, 1,900 tickets were sold.

Each year there are slight tweaks to keep it fresh and relevant while remaining true to its roots and highlighting all that’s best about British agriculture and rural life.

The classes for cattle, sheep and horses were at the heart of the event with exhibitors travelling from across the UK to compete for the championship awards. Many will win prizes at other top shows.

Elsewhere there were a host of different activities for all ages. Included on the programme were farriery competitions, sheep racing organised by the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers, birds of prey demonstrations, dog agility displays, ferret racing, One Man and His Pig competitions and much more.

In the equine section, the Search for a Talented Show jumper competition, judged by Olympic experts Graham and Tina Fletcher, is always hugely popular, and the Northern Show Cross Finals attracted more entries than ever.

It was a day to remember for Michelle Thomas, from York, and her traditional coloured cob, Phoebe V, a 14.2hh, five-year-old mare, who she bought from York horse sales and had produced herself, to win from a strong class of 19 competitors. The pair then went on to become reserve coloured supreme champions.

Thomas, who is a customer services advisor at Pavers Shoes head office, said: “She did a beautiful individual show with a fabulous extended trot and behaved impeccably for a five-year-old, I could not have asked for more.” The pair are sponsored by Head to Hoof Equestrian, an online equestrian shop.

Amy Small, from York, riding Sally Baker’s successful Mountain and Moorland ridden show pony, Wellbrow Dewdrop, took the chance of trying for the M & M Working Hunter Pony, something of which he has not got much experience, to ride a superb clear round and produce a lovely individual show to win their class.

Sadie Osborne, from Scarborough, showing Jodie Reeves little Dartmoor, won the lead rein and then went on to win the mini reserve champion. Ellie Cooper Balaam and Thistledown Vanilla Orchid went on to be placed second in the first ridden.

Ellie is having a superb first season in her first ridden classes having just qualified for the International Pretty Polly first ridden ticket for the British Elite horse show next year.

Edward Lyon, from Welburn, had his first official big outing on his relatively new pony, Mr Sebastian, took part in the working hunter pony to finish clear just outside the placings, but a sixth best pony and rider place rosette put a big smile on his face.