Gates open for the Great Yorkshire Show

140,000 visitors are expected at the Showground over the next 4 days

Author: Kathy GreenPublished 8th Jul 2024

The gates open to the 165th Great Yorkshire Show today.

Some of the best animals in the UK will be competing and farmers from around the world will attend.

Expect cutting edge machinery, the latest in innovation as well as countryside displays and demonstrations, cookery, food and drink.

TV presenters Helen Skelton, Adam Henson, Peter Wright from Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet and Rob and Dave Nicholson, of Cannon Hall Farm, will be on the GYS Stage.

There will be top names from the cheese industry appearing in the Cheese & Dairy section, while farmers from around the world will come together as the Show hosts the World Ayrshire Federation Annual Conference 2024.

For the first time at the GYS, a craft beer bar will be open in the Food Hall and there will also be a Battle of the Butchers where craftsmanship, creativity and innovation will be rewarded

This will be the last show for Charles Mills as Show Director after nine years. He said: “We are so proud to host the 165th Great Yorkshire Show -where else can you find the very best of British agricultural machinery, livestock, food, celebrities, debates and demonstrations all in one event? We are also delighted to see the return of poultry classes after difficulties with avian flu – it’s good to see the competitors back.

“Get ready for a stunning celebration of the very best of agriculture and we can’t wait to welcome visitors and exhibitors from across the UK and the world.”

Pigs are a firm family favourite at the Show, with visitors able to see up to 14 different breeds of pigs over all four days. The Triffit family take their passion for breeding and showing animals to the next level, with the family exhibiting various different breeds of pigs at the Show for over six decades.

This year sees the fifth generation of the family compete in the pig section, including 13-year-old Alfie Holding, who will be showing classic breeds such as the British Lops and Gloucestershire Old Spots. Alfie took first prize for his Old Spots and Large Blacks last year and will be one to watch this year in a number of classes, such as the Young Handler class.

With more than 2,000 horses, ponies and donkeys competing, equine classes are an integral part of the Show, and this year is no different, with two new classes introduced. It will be the first time the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier, for the British Ridden Heavy Horses, will take place in the ring at the Show, where you can see beautiful giants such as Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolk Punches and elegant Percherons, strutting their paces under saddle.

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