WITH temperatures soaring and even hotter conditions forecast for the weekend, thousands are expected to make their way to Gosford Forest Park, near Markethill, for the annual Armagh Show this Saturday, June 8.
The event was formally launched recentlly at a reception for sponsors and supporters held at the historic Navan Fort Centre.
The packed day-long programme will include the full range of livestock and equestrian classes along with the other popular attractions including: home industries and schools exhibition, trade and craft stalls, cookery demonstrations, Dog Show, NI Hound Show, Bonnie Baby competition, Young Farmers Clubs competitions, Tug-of-War, vintage vehicles and Riding for the Disabled.
In addition, a number of exciting entertainment activities are being planned.
In the livestock and equestrian sections a number of important qualifiers have been allocated by the Northern Ireland Shows Association (NISA) and the Irish Shows Association (ISA) and the National Pony Society (NPS). Irish Shows Qualifiers have also been allocated in the Home Industries Section for pastry baking, domestic arts and bread baking.
In the livestock rings, all breeds of will be represented and a number of special competitions will be held including: NISA/McLarnons Dairy Cow Championship, the NISA / Danske Bank Sheep Championship, the ISA /Linden Foods Beef Heifer Championship, the NISA / Bank of Ireland Junior Beef Bull Championship, the ISA / Castlewellan Show British Blue Young Bull Championship, the ISA / Clogher Valley Continental Sheep Championship, the NI Beltex and Suffolk Championships, the H2 Engineering Charolais Championship and the United Feeds Best Breed on Parade.
In the Equestrian Section a full programme for horses and ponies, including ISA Qualifiers, will run along with affiliated showjumping, which has been allocated National Pony League qualifiers in 2013.
There will also be a number of new classes namely, maxi cob and ladies hunter in the riding ring and traditional Irish cob and a class for rescued horses and ponies in the in-hand rings. Other attractions in the horse field include: a horse agility ring, NI hound show and demonstrations throughout the day highlighting the versatility of the Irish Draught Horse.
The long-standing association with Tydavnet Show in Co Monaghan is to continue with the running of a Brood Mare Championship and a special trophy for the First Ridden Pony Champion.
All prize schedules are available online and can also be obtained from: Armagh County Agricultural Show Office, 10 Dobbin Street, Armagh BT61 7QQ. Tel: 028 37 524238 e-mail: info@armaghshow.com www.armaghshow.com
