GOATS and sheepdogs herding ducks were among the most popular attractions at Thornton-le-Dale Show.

Visitors watched sheepdogs moving ducks around an obstacle course and gundog demonstrations, as the dogs showed off their skills, fetching items and jumping over fences to the applause of the crowds.

Young children were also given a chance to take part in the day and meet the dogs with some being invited in to the ring to take part in the demonstrations.

John Cavana, who had brought his gundogs to show from Patanavac Gundogs, said that despite having toured around Europe with his dogs, Thornton-le-Dale show remains the highlight in his show calendar.

He said: “We travel the length and breadth of the country and we go to Europe, but this is my favourite show because it is a traditional country show with something for everyone. The demonstration always draws big crowds and the young children love it.”

Across the other side of the field were a variety of different sized, shaped and coloured goats being shown, judged by Philip Parkin.

He said: “It’s a proper country show and once again we have had some fantastic entries in our classes.

“I’d say they were up once again on last year and they’re getting better every time.”

Gordon Cooke, who had travelled from near Whitby to visit the show, said that he had seen the standard in the goat classes improve year on year.

“We have been coming for 30 years and we placed first and third in two of the goat classes this year.

“Thornton-le-Dale has become a really popular country show and we think it’s great.

“We enjoy coming back every year to show.”

 

Horsing around

THIS year’s horse section included 44 classes – an increase on the previous year.

Horse secretary Sarah Morley said they had also expanded the Mountain and Moorland section.

“The show is very popular and we have entries from all over the country and the standard is very good,” she said. The attraction of Thornton-le-Dale Show is that there is something for everyone, added Sarah.

“We have the agricultural section alongside stands and displays plus the entertainment in the main ring,” she said.

“Families can enjoy a great day out with something for all ages from young children to grandparents.”

Sarah, who has been horse secretary for 12 years, said it as also an enjoyable show for those involved in organising the day.

“Most of the team are local people who work well together – it is a really good community and village occasion.”

 

Feathers fly

THIS year’s fur and feather section saw more than 100 extra entries.

Secretary Adam Collier said he liked to think it was because Thornton-le-Dale was such a well-organised and run show.

“We have some of the the top national exhibitors here who have won medals at shows in London,” he said. “However, the show also caters for youngsters who can enter their pets, meaning everyone can get involved.”

A breeder himself, Adam has 35 rabbits and 60 guinea pigs, a number of which were also on show. “The standard is very high this year again, as usual,” he said. “We have had entries from all over Yorkshire as well as further afield as people like the show and enjoy coming and taking part.

Marking 10 years as fur and feather secretary, Adam is also a steward in the same sections at other shows, including Ryedale.

The funeral director also finds time to share his passion for the Yorkshire dialect with regular talks and now has a monthly column in the Gazette & Herald.

“A number of people have come up to me to say they have read it and they seem to have enjoyed it,” he said.

 

Food, glorious food

HEATHER DIXON has one of the best jobs at the show – sampling some of the finest sponge cakes, chocolate cakes and rum truffles Ryedale has to offer.

As she cuts into a moist sponge cake, she said that texture and appearance, but most of all taste, is key to picking a winner at the show.

“Some judges at other shows do it without tasting, but taste is the most important part of a good Victoria sponge,” she said.

“Ryedale has some really talented bakers and we always have fantastic entries for this class.”

From chocolate cakes to cupcakes, scones and sausages rolls, the entries in the food classes were the best they had seen for a number of years, according to Heather, and they have since had to expand and use another two judges to award prizes in the jam and eggs categories.

Heather said: “We had 24 sponge cakes this year and the other classes are always really well supported as well. I don’t think we have had this many for a number of years.”

Steward Doreen Hale said that competitors came from as far as Bridlington to enter food classes, which saw giant onions, lettuces and courgettes entered, as well as home-made sloe gin and raspberry vodka.

She said: “We get some really good talent entering and people come from Bridlington and Driffield to enter as well. I think it’s a really good little country show and we get a lot of tourists coming to it as well. People come back year on year which is great.”