Countryside Live: Families enjoy ‘brilliant day out’

From sheep shows to pony rides, ferret racing to mountain biking, pigeon judging to farriery competitions this year’s Countryside Live boasted hours of entertainment.
Date:18th October 2104, Picture James Hardisty, (JH1005/71p). Countryside Live event held at the Great Yorkshire Ground, Harrogate. Pictured Large crowds attending the event.Date:18th October 2104, Picture James Hardisty, (JH1005/71p). Countryside Live event held at the Great Yorkshire Ground, Harrogate. Pictured Large crowds attending the event.
Date:18th October 2104, Picture James Hardisty, (JH1005/71p). Countryside Live event held at the Great Yorkshire Ground, Harrogate. Pictured Large crowds attending the event.

Despite the talented show jumping on offer, there was a noticeable lack of long faces on display as families from across the country enjoyed the light-hearted displays and feel-good atmosphere.

John Robertshaw, 43, said: “It’s been a brilliant day out. I’ve come with friends from Northampton and their daughter, Phoebe, has been having a wonderful time.

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“She’s been to the dog agility display, the pony rides and the show jumping. Anything to do with animals she absolutely loves. It’s been everything we thought it would be and more.”

Shirley and Lawrence King, both 79, from Knaresborough said they were also enjoying their day at the event and were busy taking photos of all the animals on show.

Shirley said: “We’ve been watching the owl display and it’s been fantastic. It’s also been great to see the kids’ faces because you can tell they’re enjoying themselves so much.”

Colin Webster, an exhibitor at Countryside Live from Harrogate, had brought his two daughters, Sophie, 17 and Becky, five, with him and they were all enjoying their day.

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Colin said: “Becky is enjoying herself, she’s being educated about wool at the moment and has also been busy making bracelets and long necklaces. I’m showing off my two sheep today.

“It’s been a good turn out this year, we come every year but we enjoy it because it’s more agricultural based than the Great Yorkshire Show. It’s brilliant for the kids who’ve been watching the sheep shows.”

Rhoda, 55, and Robert Hinds, 60, had travelled from Halifax to Countryside Live and were enjoying the humorous elements of the animal displays.

Rhoda said: “We have done a bit of everything so far. We’ve been watching the sheep shows where they educate people about the animal and then the sheep does a little dance. It’s very funny.

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“We go to a lot of countryside shows and this one is very good. There’s much more stuff indoors which is great but I actually didn’t think it would be this busy.

Peter and Janet Reid, 65 and 61, visiting from Ripon said it was there first time at Countryside Live and had brought their six-year-old granddaughter Georgia with them.

Janet said: “Georgia has had a go at everything. She’s been on the diggers and had her face painted. She’s been stroking all the animals and had a great time trying all the fudge in the food hall.

“This is very geared towards families and children. It’s a really good show and we will definitely come again. I don’t know why we have left it so long to come for the first time.”

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Roman Pschenyckyj was visiting with his friend Rachel Harrison from Leeds, along with Terenja and William Humphrey from Walsall and watching the World Horse Shoeing competition.

Roman said: “We go to the Great Yorkshire Show every year but it is our first time here. Countryside Live has everything that has but on a smaller scale which is nice, but there is more than we expected.

“I have only seen horse shoeing on television but I have never seen it live. There’s a huge crowd here watching it so they must be doing something right.”