ENTRIES for most categories in the annual Lunesdale Agricultural Show continued to climb this year, with the event’s secretary praising the overall standard of the competition.

The show, held at Kirkby Lonsdale’s Underley Park, saw thousands of visitors, tourists and farm lovers turn out to appreciate the variety of animals, stands and entertainment on display.

President David Watson, himself a show veteran, said he enjoyed the chance to have a proper look around and noticed that the entries this year were ‘above standard.’ “Thank you to anyone who has exhibited something today – an event like this doesn’t happen overnight, it takes a lot of preparation and hard work,” he said.

Two-year-old Shire filly, Burlington Park Quicksilver, was crowned overall show champion in the prestigious horse category.

Owners Glenys and John Dodd of Park Farm, Dalton-in-Furness, said they were pleased with how the home-bred horse performed in the show.

“She’s got a lovely temperament – the judge said he liked the way she went and how she behaved,” said Glenys about the champion, who beat off competition in the category of Best Yearling or Two Year Old Colt, Gelding or Filly.

The champion in the cattle section was 16-month-old bull, Proctor’s Hummer, of Mill Bank Farm at nearby Whittington.

The 1,800kg animal, owned by 71-year-old Tom Altham, was bought just two weeks ago and was handled by farm helper Alistair Beaton.

“He is very well made and strong. We’re very happy,” said 46 year-old Alistair.

Top prize in the sheep category went to a mule belonging to JA Lawson & Son, Ingleton.

Third generation farmer Steven Lawson and his father Mark brought the winner, who was showing for the first time.

On the four-month-old’s success, Mr Lawson said: “She’s got very good colouring – the brown and white is very distinctive.”

Show secretary Gill Gibbs said she was delighted with the competition entries: “There were 70 more horses than last year and sheep numbers are also up.”

“We’re also up on poultry and there were good entries in the home industries and dog show.

“I’ve never seen so much traffic queuing to get in.”

Mr Watson added that there was a bright future for farming: “It’s great to see that, for one reason or another, over the last 15 years young people have become more interested in farming and the response in the young sheep handlers proves that.”