ORGANISERS of Dorset County Show have described this year's event as 'the best ever', with thousands of people coming through the gates.

The showground was packed both days with people taking part in competitions or catching entertainment ranging from showjumping to the thrilling antics of motorcycle stunt team Bolddog Lings.

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Show secretary Sam Mackenzie-Green said today: “It's too early to know numbers yet but Saturday was the biggest ever in terms of visitors and Sunday is on track to match it.

“It certainly looks like a record-breaking year.”

She added: “The weather has just been perfect and we've had great feedback from traders and people who are just out enjoying themselves.”

Thousands gathered around the main ring on Sunday to watch showjumper Keith Doyle and his horse Burello win the six bar jump off and even more stayed to watch Bolddog Lings' adrenaline-filled performance.

The team reached the semi-finals of this year's Britain's Got Talent.

With hundreds of animals, live music, food, shows, displays and competitions ranging from ugly fruit to photography, the show had something for everyone.

The Arch-Deacon of Sherborne, the Ven Paul Taylor, was on hand at the Churches Together tent to offer people welcome respite from the heat.

He said: “Churches have a significant role in local communities, not just their services but also the pastoral care they offer, so we wanted to put on displays here to show what we do.

“It is a new era for this tent at Dorset County Show and there have been a lot of people involved in getting it ready.

“Many people, particularly those with young children, have come here to sit and have a rest.”

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Results 2014.pdf

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THE county show is an opportunity for a number of organisations to engage with the Dorset community.

The Dorset Fire and Rescue stand offered information on fire safety.

Brian Baker, crew manager for the community first task team, said: “We've had a lot of interested people across the two days and a large amount of referrals for our home fire safety checks.”

The Dorset Police tractor drew crowds in at their tent.

Neighbourhood sergeant for Dorchester and Sherborne Rachel Goodwin said: “We've been promoting our Dorset Alert service, which includes things like Horse Watch and Sheep Watch, and encouraging members of the community to get involved so they can receive regular information from us.”

Dorset is one of dozens of shows to get a visit from the NFU Roadshow this year, which helps to promote British agriculture.

Dorchester branch secretary Rupert Rees said: “It's important the NFU has a presence here as so many of our members are involved in various ways. It's been a fantastic show and it's great to see so many people with a smile on their faces.”

 

THIS year the crowd got even closer to the stars of the sheep-showing world when David and Ruth Wilkins took their Dorset Downs for a stroll.

David, from Rampisham Hill Farm at Beaminster, said: “It's something new we wanted to try for this year, to let people stroke the sheep rather than just seeing them in their pens. People have been really interested in being able to touch their wool and have a go at handling them.”

Also new to the show this year is Derek Williams and his team of showjumping llamas from Blackrock in Wales.

Derek said: “It is the first time we've brought the llamas here, though we also do dog displays and we have been to Dorset County Show before.

“The crowd here today have been amazing, and we've had so many interested people dropping by the pen to find out more about these lovely creatures.”

Derek's llama Casper will be attempting to set a world record for the highest jump later this year.

And while sheep showing in a more traditional sense was taking place in the main ring, Stuart Barnes was content with nothing less than getting his charges to dance.

Originally from Christchurch in New Zealand, Stuart teamed up with Norfolk farmer Richard Savory to create his dancing sheep show.

He said: “The crowds were awesome today, and their enthusiasm really lifts the show.”