Countdown on to 165th Great Yorkshire Show, with Wednesday and Thursday a sell-out

The countdown is on to the 165th Great Yorkshire Show where tickets are selling fast, with Wednesday and Thursday already sold out.

Show Director Charles Mills took to the showground in Harrogate on Monday ahead of the show, which takes place from Tuesday, July 9 to Friday, July 12, where 9,500 rosettes and 220 trophies are being prepared for more than 2,000 classes set to take place.

Organisers say all-new content will complement returning favourites.

From world class show-jumping to the best of British cattle, goats, pigs and sheep as well as cheese and dairy competitions, there’s more than 12,000 entries across 21 sections.

There will be cutting edge machinery, the latest in innovation as well as countryside displays and demonstrations, cookery, food and drink.

TV presenters Helen Skelton, Adam Henson, Peter Wright from Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet and Rob and Dave Nicholson, of Cannon Hall Farm, will be on the GYS Stage with TV presenter Christine Talbot.

There will be top names from the cheese industry appearing in the Cheese & Dairy section, while farmers from around the world will come together as the show hosts the World Ayrshire Federation Annual Conference 2024.

For the first time at the GYS, a craft beer bar will be open in the Food Hall and there will also be a "Battle of the Butchers" where craftsmanship, creativity and innovation will be rewarded.

This will be the last show for Charles Mills as Show Director after nine years. “We are so proud to host the 165th Great Yorkshire Show," he said. "Where else can you find the very best of British agricultural machinery, livestock, food, celebrities, debates and demonstrations all in one event?

"We are also delighted to see the return of poultry classes after difficulties with avian flu – it’s good to see the competitors back.

“Get ready for a stunning celebration of the very best of agriculture and we can’t wait to welcome visitors and exhibitors from across the UK and the world next week.”

Pigs are a firm family favourite at the show, with visitors able to see up to 14 different breeds of pigs over all four days.

With more than 2,000 horses, ponies and donkeys competing, equine classes are an integral part of the show, and this year is no different, with two new classes introduced. It will be the first time the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier, for the British Ridden Heavy Horses, will take place in the ring at the show. It will see Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolk Punches and Percherons, put through their paces under saddle.

To highlight the importance of horse welfare and rehabilitation, two classes are being introduced especially for rescued equines. The classes will feature both in hand and ridden elements and will be amongst the first for the Rescue Equine Showing Society (RES).

Both the Heavy Horse HOYS qualifier and Rescue Equines classes will take place at the show on Friday.

There will also be a number of successful returning favourites, and top prize money will be available for the Ripon Select Foods Cock o’ the North class on Thursday.

A Farm to Fashion Show will reflect the journey of wool from sheep to the clothes we wear, over at Sheep Shearing Stage, hosted by Your Harrogate radio presenter, Nick Hancock. There will be two fashion shows a day, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday running at 12pm and 4.30pm and on Friday at 12pm and 3pm.

There will be some well-known faces on the catwalk alongside a cast of models, such as Peter Wright from Channel 5’s The Yorkshire vet on both Friday slots, farmer Youtuber and Tik-Toker Joe Seels on the Wednesday 12pm slot and influencer Olly Harrison on Tuesday at 12pm.

Tickets are £35 for adults, £13 for children and £86 for families, see https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ticket-information/