THIS year’s Royal Agricultural Show in Sulby - on Friday and Saturday - promises to be another record-breaking display of all that’s great about the Isle of Man’s countryside.
With a good weather forecast and a very successful Southern Show only a fortnight ago, attention focuses on Staward Farm in Sulby where many thousands are expected to enjoy the delights of the finest pedigree farm animals, numerous displays, entertainment and commercial stands.
The Royal Show has taken some giant steps forward in recent years, adding numerous new features and attractions to appeal to all ages and all tastes. Traditionally, it was a display of everything to do with Manx farming, with the focus on the animals and the many competitions in the marquees for farm produce and home made goods.
The fantastic display of pedigree farm animals remains the main attraction, but the show has diversified significantly in recent times to include all sorts of displays and attractions - from spectacular displays by world class motorycling experts Steve Colley and Juan Knight to the “Drakes of Hazard” - a dog and duck team of entertainers!
Being held for the second year, following a major success in 2009, is the ‘I Love Manx Amateur Cook of the Year’ competition. Two heats will take place in the theatre tent - one each day - with the finalists going forward to the Manx Food and Drink Festival in September.
The number of commercial stands has also risen enormously in recent years and a substantial part of “going to the show” involves a wander through the rows and rows of marquees and display stands, offering a massive range of products.
However, the “main event” of the show will once again be the selection of the Supreme Champion on Saturday afternoon which follows the Grand Parade - at 4pm - of all the top winners in the various classes over the two days. From this line up a shortlist will be selected by the judges before the champion is chosen.
isleofman.com will be covering the event throughout the two days and the Supreme Champion result and photographs will be on our website immediately after the event on Saturday.
Admission on Friday is £5 and on Saturday £7. Children 4-14 £1. No dogs are permitted on the showfield on Saturday.
All photographs by Bill Dale - isleofmanphotos.com
FRIDAY AUGUST 13TH:
(all times are approximate and subject to change)
9.00 Show opens
9.15 Show Hunter Pony Classes Horse Arena
9.30 Judging begins Dog Obedience Show
9.30 Judging begins Dog Agility Show
9.30 Judging Arts & Crafts
10.00 Show Jumping Classes Horse Arena
10.30 Judging begins Open Breed Dog Show Heavy Horse ring
10.30 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display Entertainment Ring
10.30 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration Woodcutters Arena
11.00 Working Hunter Classes Horse Arena
11.00 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display Entertainment Ring
11.30 The Drakes of Hazard - dog and duck display team Entertainment Ring
12.00 Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club Entertainment Ring
12.20 Isle of Man Police Dog Display Entertainment Ring
12.50 Classic Car Parade Entertainment Ring
1.00 Calf Show and Calf Handlers Cattle ring
1.00 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration Woodcutters Arena
1.00 Isle of Man Gundogs Association display Entertainment Ring
1.30 Sheep shearing demonstration with Daniel Creer Entertainment Ring
1.45 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display Entertainment Ring
2.00 “I Love Manx Amateur Cook of the Year” Southern Heats Manx Food Theatre
2.10 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display Entertainment Ring
2.30 Stan Skinner's sheepdog demonstration Entertainment Ring
2.30 Children's Flower Arranging Workshop (£3 each) Floral Art Marquee
2.45 The Drakes of Hazard - dog and duck display team Entertainment Ring
3.15 Sheep shearing demonstration with Daniel Creer Entertainment Ring
3.30 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration Woodcutters Arena
3.30 Classic Car and Vintage Machinery Parade Entertainment Ring
3.45 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display Entertainment Ring
4.00 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display Entertainment Ring
SATURDAY AUGUST 14TH:
(all times are approximate and subject to change)
9.00 Light Horse Classes Horse Arena
9.45 Young Farmers Clubs - Stock Judging Cattle lines
10.00 Judging of Livestock and Marquee exhibits begins
10.00 The Drakes of Hazard - dog and duck display team Entertainment Ring
10.30 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display Entertainment Ring
10.30 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration Woodcutters Arena
10.30 Judging of the Meg Lamb Class Near sheep lines
11.00 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display Entertainment Ring
11.00 Young Farmers Clubs - Sheep Judging Sheep lines
11.30 Isle of Man Police Dog Display Entertainment Ring
12.00 Isle of Man Taekwondo Association display Entertainment Ring
12.20 Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club Entertainment Ring
12.40 Dressage to Music with Miss Rowan Caley Entertainment Ring
1.00 The Vikings of Mann - weaponry demonstration Entertainment Ring
1.00 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration Woodcutters Arena
1.20 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display Entertainment Ring
1.40 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display Entertainment Ring
2.00 Classic Car & Vintage Machinery Parade Entertainment Ring
2.00 “I Love Manx Amateur Cook of the Year” Northern Heats Manx Food Theatre
2.15 The Drakes of Hazard - dog and duck display team Entertainment Ring
2.30 Children's Flower Arranging Workshop (£3 each) Floral Art Marquee
2.45 Sheep shearing demonstration with Daniel Creer Entertainment Ring
3.00 Isle of Man Gundogs Association display Entertainment Ring
3.20 Stan Skinner's sheepdog demonstration Entertainment Ring
3.30 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration Woodcutters Arena
3.30 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display Entertainment Ring
3.55 Hedgehunter - Winner of 2005 Grand National Entertainment Ring
4.00 THE GRAND PARADE led by Miss Young Farmer Entertainment Ring
followed by the Prize Presentations
4.30 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display Entertainment Ring
5.00 Marquee exhibits and Classic Cars may be removed
