The Main Ring

Private and Trade Driving Classes 128-131

9.30am

Carriage driving usually involves two or four wheeled carriages being pulled by a single horse, a tandem, or four in hand team. Completion is based on aesthetic factors and subjective scoring based on the performance of the horse and driver. 

The smaller agricultural and trade turnouts of which there are many  –  the milk cart, the coal wagon or the bread van, to name a few, usually use stocky cobs or large ponies. For authenticity, it is important that the type of horse between the shafts is matched to the history and style of the vehicle.

The smaller two wheeled vehicles will often have a smart large pony or a small horse with an eye catching gait. There can even be a donkey! The larger carriages feature teams of two or four.      

Kindly supported by Ivan Fisher Independent Funeral Homes, Aylsham 

Heavy Horses Display 

10.45am

Derek Spanton started coming to this traditional August Bank Holiday event when he was 12 years old and has now completed 70 years attending the Aylsham Show.

He is showcasing the way farming used to be with his team of Heavy Horses.

It is important to keep telling the story of working horses, both to keep their history alive, and to generate enough interest to preserve rare breeds as their numbers dwindle.    

Kindly supported by B&C Farming Ltd, Marsham 

Mounted Games

11.30am and 3.45pm

The Pony Clubs make a welcome return to the Aylsham Show with their mounted games teams. Last year we welcomed clubs from all over the country and it was a fast-paced high-octane event. Horses and riders race in the main ring doing various activities as they go. Get behind your favourite team and they will go faster.

Kindly supported by The Morley Agricultural Foundation, Morley and Weatherfield Marquee Hire and Event Support, Watton

The Arrival of the President, Roger Long and Mrs Yvonne Long 

12.00pm

Hi from Roger Long your President for 2023.

I am a Calf rearing Beef Farmer from Scarning, Dereham. Having left Wymondham College, I spent nearly a year working on the Calf Rearing unit at the Royal Showground, Warwickshire. Then returning home to Scarning where I have been rearing calves ever since.

I have had an active life in the Young Farmers and the N.F.U. 

We as a family have also been heavily involved in raising money for Leukaemia Research, having organised the Norfolk Bikeathon for 15 years, raising over £465,000.

When our daughters were 9 and 7 years old, they were very involved with the Dairy Young Handlers and the Aylsham Show was always their favourite. Sarah our eldest used to show Holsteins for the Airfield Herd, Shipdham and Carol showed Jerseys for the Upgate Herd, Seething.

I used to transport the cattle for the Airfield Herd to the show arriving Sunday afternoon, so we could set up camp for our overnight stay and enjoy a B.B.Q. and a few drinks with the other exhibitors.

I soon found myself helping with the Cattle stewarding on show day. It wasn’t long before I became Head Steward, with my wife Yvonne sorting out the  Cattle Passports and my daughters helping to steward, it became as it always has been, a real family affair.

We retired after 20 years as Head Cattle Steward but continued to support the Show with our granddaughter starting Calf handling at the Show.

I was then given the great honour of being asked to be Vice President of the Show, a title I held for 3 years, due to Covid, and now as the President for the 75th Aylsham Show, I am deeply honoured.

Let us all have a great day and many thanks to all who make it happen.

Kindly supported by Savills (UK) Ltd, Norwich.

The Presidents Marquee is kindly sponsored by Edgefield Nurseries (Flowers) and East Coast College (75th Show Cake). 

Childrens Fancy Dress 

12.10pm

This popular event is back in the Main Ring and we do encourage children and their parents to take part and enjoy themselves.

Please do congregate near the Members Entrance just before the start time  –  it is free entry.

You can be mounted or not and there will be Winners rosettes presented to both categories. All competitors will receive a rosette.

Mounted competitors should wear a hard hat.

It will be judged by Mrs Annabel Savory, the wife of the Show Vice President. 

Kindly supported by The Scott Family, Colby 

 
 
 
High octane action packed international stunt show Motostunts international join us at The Show waits their team who will thrill crowds with motorcycles, quads, special 4x4s and cars.
Moto Shows International motorcycle stunts include high-speed moving ramp jumps, crossover Quad jumps, a large static jump over cars, vans even tractors with fire stunts and pyrotechnics too! You won’t want to miss this.
 
See then in The Main Ring at 12.25pm and 4.45pm
 
Kindly supported by Larking Gowen, Norfolk and Barratt & Cooke, Norwich 
The Tigers Army Parachute Display Team, one of the British Army’s leading parachute display teams will be dropping in to the show arena, smoke trailing, flags flying, performing amazing formations both in the air and under the canopy.
The Tigers are experienced parachutists from The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment’s Parachute display team and the Queens Division.
 
See them flying into the Main Arena at 1.00pm
 
Kindly supported by Vattenfall, London
We can’t wait for Mia Ridley to join us at the show with Heart of Horsemanship.
In this beautifully presented equestrian demonstration, Mia Rodley and her team of performance horses and skilful riders bring you
-The art of liberty, working with horses in total freedom.
-Cossack trick riding, thrilling, and daring gymnastics performed at a gallop!
-Horse stunts, what you see on the silver screen! Including saddle falls, drags, riding and jumping bridle less!
-Roman riding a team of horses, standing on the backs of two horses with multiple horses abreast at liberty!
-Classical dressage, the art of riding in harmony with the horse.
Don’t miss this exceptional display of horsemanship that comes from the heart, for the love of horses.
See them in The Main Ring at 1.30pm and 4.15pm
 

Kindly supported by M R Ellis (Timber) Ltd, Hevingham and Orsted Power UK, London

The 75th Aylsham Show Pageant
 
2.00pm
 
This Main Ring Event will highlight the 75th Aylsham Show which started in 1946 as a gymkhana on Aylsham Recreation Ground. There have been only three years without a Show because of Foot and Mouth, and COVID. 
 
The Pageant will highlight the dramatic changes that have taken place over these years, starting with the heavy horse though to todays large modern machinery.
 
The Pageant will be led by Phillida Hurn, a Past  President and now an Honorary Life Vice President of the Show. She and her family have a long association with the Aylsham Show competing in gymkhanas, showjumping, showing horses, working hunters, as well as now showing her own angus and simmental cattle, and previously the family were showing jersey cattle. 
 
When the livestock and machinery leave the Ring, the representatives of some of those charitable organisations who have benefitted over the years from donations, will line up in front of the President with cards showing that £1 million pounds has been donated to many deserving causes since the Show began. This is something that all connected with the Aylsham Show are very proud of.   
 
Kindly supported by NFU Mutual, Holt

Childrens Sack Race

2.45pm

All children are invited to take part.

Kindly supported by Black Sheep Ltd, Marsham 

The Black Sheep story started in 1966 with a chance purchase of six Black Welsh Mountain Sheep by Clare Hoare, the founder of the Company. With this breed on the endangered species list she and her husband set out to secure its future.

By 1982 Clare had a flock of 500 breeding ewes and a business  of spinning, knitting and selling the wool and garments. 

There was now a worldwide demand for the natural wool garments from the black sheep. It was decided that machine knitted garments (Made in England ) would compliment their knitted range of woolwear.

Robert Hoare joined the company in 1999 on the retirement of his cousin Clare. With his fellow director Kate Barclay (both best dogbodys!!), the company continues to grow and flourish continuing their ethos of British quality and excellent customer service.

They have supported the Aylsham Show with the Childrens Sack race for many years.

Grand Parade and Presentation of Cups and Trophies 

3.00pm

Come and support the presentations to the  Livestock Champions.

Much dedication and hard work will have put in by the owners, breeders and handlers to get the animals in top condition for the various  Competitions.

Some other presentations will also take place.

Kindly supported by Arnolds Keys LLP, Norwich and Aylsham 

Childrens Tug of War

5.15pm

All children are invited to take part so come and join in for what is a bit of fun at the end of the Show.

Kindly supported by Dewing Grain Ltd, Aylsham