THE prestigious ‘Cock O’ The North’ showjumping class at last week’s Great Yorkshire Show saw an all-Yorkshire jump off and a nail-biting finish.

The Yorkshire riders were the only three to jump clear in the first round of the Cock O’ The North in front of a packed grandstand.

A fence down, dropped James Whitaker to third place and two riders, Jamie Gornall and Joe Clayton went through to jump against the clock.

Hudderfield rider Joe Clayton, riding Via Van Der Karmenhoek Z, took the honours. It was a double at the show for Joe who won the opening class on the first day with the same horse.

This year marked the Cock O’ The North’s 50th anniversary.

In the showing, competition was fierce for the top title. The Cuddy Supreme In-hand Championship qualifier went to a Welsh Section C mare with foal at foot, Popsters Megastar, owned by Horse of the Year show chief Mr Sandy Anderson, and shown by Will Perrins of Wakefield.

Reserve was David Dixon and Jerome Harforth’s Riding Pony brood mare, Dance All Night. Judge Gill Evans said the standard had been exceptionally high and her final line-up of six was of outstanding quality. More than 134,000 visitors flocked to the 160th Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate’s showground last week.

Show director Charles Mills said: “I couldn’t have been prouder of the show, it was a magical three days, a real celebration of farming and the countryside.

“The weather, the atmosphere, the standard of competition and a visit from HRH The Princess Royal made it a truly spectacular Show and from the feedback we are getting, our visitors thought so too.”

Next year’s show will take place from July 9 to July 11.