OLYMPIC showjumping legend Graham Fletcher and his son Oliver took to the Great Yorkshire showground recently to put new facilities to the test ahead of the 159th Great Yorkshire Show.

Oliver Fletcher, 14, rode horse Dahar over fences on the new surface, which has had a £70,000 revamp, bringing it up to international standard.

Graham backed the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s (YAS) investment to transform half the ring into an Olympic standard, state-of-the-art all-weather synthetic surface, provided by Andrews Bowen.

Developed for the London 2012 Olympics, the surface is endorsed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Mr Fletcher, who is originally from Thirsk, travelled to the showground from his home near Oxford. He is part of the show jumping committee formed by YAS to ensure the equine facilities are world-class.

He said: “The Great Yorkshire Show is my favourite national show and a place where I have won many classes, including the Cock O’ The North. Even though I haven’t lived in Yorkshire for a number of years it still means a lot to me and I have stayed a strong supporter.”

OIiver was set to compete in on all three days of the show this year, including the Badsworth Stakes, the Rudding Park Great Yorkshire Championship, and the Yard Equestrian Junior Class before hoping to take on the legendary Cock O’ The North course.

Graham added: “Nothing will give me greater pleasure than seeing Ollie do well this year and in the years to come win more than I did.”