Although the Foot and Mouth outbreak at the ‘11th hour’ and the fact that many were making the most of the good weather to get the late harvest in kept a few entrants away, the classes were good.

The new layout of the showground proved popular and gave easy access to the trade stands as well as both rings.

Katy Cropper gave her usual entertaining display herding ducks and geese with her sheepdogs ably assisted by her young daughter and youngsters encouraged to join her from the audience.

John Whittaker, from Knutsford, Cheshire, judged the Shire Classes awarding the Champion Shire and the Denys Benson Memorial Cup to Peter Burgess’ barren mare, Leninhall Queen of Hearts, with Alistair King’s brood mare, Cotebrook Loch Carrun, from Cheshire reserve. Peter’s mare having already qualified for the Shire Horse of the Year Championship, Alistair King’s mare went forward as show qualifier as well as winning the Shire Horse Society Silver Spoon.

The G & B Finch Rose Bowl for the Best mare & foal shown by an Association Member went this year to Peter Jackson with his mare Acle Rosie and foal Elmbrook Lady Valerie. Peter also took the Champion Percheron and the Wag Baker cup with his gelding, Elmbrook Monarch.

Michael Henfrey awarded the Champion Suffolk and the John Purse Memorial cup to Roger & Fiona Clark, with Block Fen Jester. Roger also won the Horsnell Trophy as the Farrier of the Best Shod Shire for his shoeing of Peter Bugess’ Mare Leninhal Queen of Hearts.

Molly Langley with Currerwood Sapphire proved herself as the Young handler of the show to take the Don Brown Trophy in a class of four strong competitors.

The Master of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, as well as presenting the Best Shod Awards, very kindly presented the trophies to the competitors in the Grand Parade.

Champion Single Trade Turnout and the Lieutenancy Shield went to John Goodwin driving Sidney, with John Lawless driving W Langley & M Teasdale’s Wheatland Knight winning reserve and the Brenda Knowles cup. The Lookers Trophy for the highest placed Association member went to Peter Jackson with Elmbrook Monarch driven to an 1890 Essex Farm Waggon in the Agricultural Turnout class.

The Main ring entertainment also included the parading of the DeBurgh & North Essex Harehounds, the Essex Farmers & Union Hunt and the East Anglian Bloodhounds. With all three packs in the ring the audience was encouraged to come and meet the hounds, always a popular occasion for children and parents alike. The day finished with the Vintage Tractor & Classic Vehicle Parade.

The Light Horse Ring was kept busy all day with Private driving, Light Trade, Hackney horse and pony, Welsh Cob and Double Harness Scurry classes.