Forest Show gets off to a stunning start (From Daily Echo)
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Positive signs that the New Forest Show is back to its best
7:00am Wednesday 29th July 2009 in New Forest By Echo Reporter
MAKING FRIENDS: Emily Vallis with a Jersey cow.
PRANCING ponies, cud-chewing cattle and sheared sheep all vying for attention – it could only be the first day of the New Forest Show.
And what an opening day it was at New Park in Brockenhurst.
The clouds may have been gathering overhead but that did not put off the thousands of visitors stepping gingerly through the gates onto the muddy show paths.
Worries the financial climate may have put people off this year were soon put to rest as wellie-clad families flocked to see the prize-winning sheep with children cooing at the feeding piglets and the preened cattle.
A packed programme of equestrian events, including two Horse of the Year events, drew some of the biggest applause of the day with the Shires hauling the Ringwood Brewery dray in the heavy horse musical drive following the elegantly dressed riders competing in the side saddle concurs.
The wildflowering meadow, planted in the corner of the showground by Stewarts at Broomhill in Wimborne and Christchurch, provided a calming place for visitors to meander and escape the hustle and bustle, while the flower tent overflowed with beautiful blooms in fragrant displays.
But the true stars of the opening day were the real Land Army Girls, who had come together for a unique celebration of their wartime work.
The ladies, many of whom now live locally in Lymington, Christchurch and around the New Forest, had gathered at the show for a special exhibition of Land Army memorabilia in the Old Time Farming Exhibition and gallantly showed spectators they were still able to pitch some corn.
Chief executive of the show Richard Cuzens said: “I haven’t managed to get my socks wet – so the ground is holding well.
“While we are hoping for record-breaking numbers of 100,000 this year, we want the enjoyment levels of our visitors to be on the increase more than anything.
“We may not be the biggest but we want to be the best.”
Visitors to the show today should look out for Jamie Squibb and his Motorbike Stunt Display Team, the New Forest Pony events, terrier racing, the Axemen show and much more.
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