New classes and record prize money mean equine classes at the Great Yorkshire Show are set to attract an exceptionally high calibre of competition this year.

The three-day event, which takes place from Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 July in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is England’s premier agricultural show and is expecting around 2,000 entries in the equine section alone.

A great chance to see outstanding examples of different horse breeds, it is always hugely popular with visitors and this year offers prize money totalling £46,434.

New for 2010 is the Top of the North Supreme Championship, with a prize of £1,500 for the supreme ridden horse of the show. Sponsored by leading Yorkshire horse feed company, TopSpec, the inaugural winner will be announced in the Main Ring on the Thursday afternoon during the Show. The Reserve will receive £250.

Champions from the Novice Ridden Hunter, Ridden Hunter, Working Hunter, Ridden Coloured, Ridden Cob, Riding Horse, Ridden Mountain & Moorland and winners from the Ladies’ Side Saddle, Small Hunter, Four-year-old Hunter, Retrained Racehorse and Ridden Irish Draught classes will all qualify.

The premier in-hand class, the prestigious Cuddy Supreme Championship, will again be drawing the highest quality entries from across the country. A qualifier, for the Horse of the Year Show, it is judged on the final afternoon.

The Retrained Racehorse class is another new introduction, sponsored by Mark Johnston Racing, with the top two places going forward to the 2011 Hickstead Derby meeting.

Another addition this year is First Ridden Mountain & Moorland for mares or geldings aged four or over, with a rider aged under 12 by the start of this year.

Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director, said: “The Great Yorkshire Show is renowned for the quality of entries it attracts to its equine classes. As England’s premier agricultural show we’re delighted to be able to showcase some of the finest examples of different horse breeds to be found anywhere in the country and look forward to some fierce competition.”

Ridden Hunters, Shires and Private Driving are also very popular classes attracting both the crowds and strong entries. The ever-lovable Shetlands, donkey classes and children’s lead classes will also take place over the three days, with entries expected to be high in all areas.

·         Deadline for entries into the equine classes – Tuesday 4 May 2010 

• The Cuddy In-Hand Supreme Championship will be judged in the White Rose Ring from 2pm – 3pm on Thursday, 15 July
• The Top of the North Supreme Ridden Championship will be awarded in the Main Ring at 2.50pm on Thursday, 15 July  

Tickets bought in advance                                 Tickets bought on the gate

Adult:               £18                                          Adult                £21

Concession:      £17                                          Concession:      £20                             

Children:          £8                                            Children:          £10

Family:             £47                                          Family:             £55 

Gates open at 7.30am and close at 7.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 6.30pm on Thursday.

For further information regarding the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, please see www.yas.co.uk. 

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY: 

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was formed in 1837 and is a charity dedicated to supporting the farming industry and rural life. The value of the support it provides to regional farming and countryside initiatives has risen year on year to almost £1m. It is based at the Regional Agricultural Centre, Harrogate; the RAC includes Fodder, the Society’s regional food shop and café which opened in June 2009.

The Society is the organiser of the annual farming and countryside showcase, the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live. The 2010 Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 13 – Thursday 15 July and Countryside Live is on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October 2010.    Last year’s Great Yorkshire Show attracted 130,731 visitors and there were 10,014 visitors to Countryside Live.

Both take place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire and are flagship events for agriculture and rural life.