Animals of all shapes and sizes put on a royal show
HEIFERS, Shetlands and Golden Guernseys were the stars of this year’s Royal Guernsey Agricultural & Horticultural Society show.
Locals turned out in force to support the show, which saw various animals, including goats, horses, sheep and cows, take centre stage to be judged and awarded rainbow-coloured rosettes and medals.
Clare Toynton, who brought her two Shetland ponies, Rufus and Teddy, said it had been a great day and as they came away with several rosettes and sashes.
‘Teddy won the young stock four years and under category, as well as best turn-out and Rufus here came second in the same young stock category,’ she said.
‘It’s their first year in the show because they’re only two years old, they both seem happy, it’s been a great day out for them.’
She added the last time that she had competed was a few decades ago, when she was 14, so she had been worried how the two ponies would react to the event.
‘They’ll sometimes stop and you have to coax them to move,’ she said.
‘You can’t make them do anything, so it’s been good to see them win a few things – Teddy will now go into the championship.’
Spectators, including Pamela Le Prevost, were enjoying the events.
‘I usually go to the shows in the UK, but I can’t go this year so it’s been nice for a change to see what it’s like here,’ she said.
‘I am horse mad and I’ve brought my camera – I’ve won at the Eisteddfod for my pictures before.’
Elsewhere there were Guernsey goats being stroked and petted, sheep being ogled and horses being admired.
However, a wide berth was given for the cows as crowds of people gathered round to watch them be judged for their udders, their stature, their deep body and how their handler presented them.
Farmer Robert Waters won best in show for one of his herd.
‘It’s a great thing to come out and support the show itself,’ he said.
‘Winning is just a bonus on top of that.
‘It’s really good to get a chance to clean them up and teach them to walk.
‘I mean they have the control and if they wanted to go somewhere you’ll go with them – one year a guy was dragged across the field, that was a bit different.
‘But it is definitely interesting to see what others choose to pit against us.’
