The South Suffolk Show 2008
What a superb show! I had never been to the South Suffolk before, but I have to compliment them on the way that it was run. The signposting was excellent - very little chance of getting lost, with big yellow signs lining the roads from 15 miles away, and the lorry park was run very well, with big enough gaps being left between vehicles, and stewards to make sure animals were being properly looked after.
When we arrived we asked the steward to park us as near to the ring as possible, as having a mare and foal, we didn't want to stress them out any more than necessary leading them through the throngs of vehicles and animals. The steward was very helpful, informed us of a ring change, and directed us to a parking spot just three rows back from the ring. A mass panic ensued, trying to get the horses unloaded, brushed off and ready for the ring, as well as changing into showing clobber ourselves. However, the announcements over the loudpseaker informed us how things were running, and we arrived in the collecting ring with plenty of time to spare.
Our class (sporthorse broodmare) was a particularly strong one, with some very nice mares and foals coming forward for the judging. The judging was a little hit and miss, mainly due to it not being a sporthorse judge (the horses were not trotted up properly, and many were turned out incorrectly). She did not seem interested in the horses, she simply said good morning, and then thanks for coming when she presented the rosettes at the end. A little more feedback would have been nice.
However, we managed to come second, which I am very pleased with, especially as Evy did not want to stand still for the judge! It was a brilliant warm up show, and hopefully we will do even better on Saturday at the Hadleigh Show.
The rest of the show was put together well, with a good mixture of stands and displays. It was a little too hot to be walking around for long, and I desperately wished for my sunglasses! The motorbike display team made me come out in goosebumps as they jumped 35ft ramps! They are either very brave or completely crazy - or perhaps both! I have to say, shame on the local YFC as the stand was a little lacklustre, and not awfully inspiring. Perhaps something to entice the younger members would have been better?
We spent some time watching the livestock rings, notably the pig ring (is there a techincal term for this??). We watched as the four female pigs took their owners roung the ring, and for the first time I was glad to be showing horses and not other animals - crikey they looked like hard work! Knowing absolutely nothing about pigs, and judging solely on how they looked against horse criteria (i.e. slope of shoulder, straight back, rounded quaters, etc) I picked out who I would have placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Well, I'd be damed if the judge didn't agree with me - perhaps I should go into judging rather than showing!!
All in all, it was a fantastic day out, and thoroughly well organised.
