Ballymena Show 1012 -Bigger and Better Than Ever
Once again, the first day, which falls this year on Friday, May 25, will be dedicated to horse jumping starting at 9.30am with qualifiers for Cavan during the day and Amateur TRI A & AA classes from 1pm. Prize money and prizes offered are valued at over £1300.
The Show Committee are delighted to be able to bring the horse and pony showing together this year on the Saturday to choose a Supreme Champion
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Hide AdSaturday, May 26, is the main day of the show which opens to the public at 9am with judges pouring in from near and far to assess the stock and crafts on display.
Shows are renowned as being a shop window for the rural industry – a focal point for development and assistance whilst providing an educational experience to the urban community along with a fun day out.
Traders open their stalls at 9am to the public on the Saturday and a wide variety is already booked with crafts, jewellery, tourist information, speciality foods, iron gates, garage door systems, sweets and treats, livestock and garden equipment, financial advice, machinery, quads, property sales, cupcakes, textiles, ceramics, charities, health advice, solar energy and more.
Those who go along can also look at the grace and agility of top class horses trying to gain first prize and also see the young stars of tomorrow learning how to groom, lead and ride the ponies.
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Hide AdBallymena is privileged to be chosen as one of only six shows to hold a qualifier for the renowned RDS Breeders Championship with the final at the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse show where prize money for this one class is over €18,000.
Working Hunter competitors will be pleased to learn that a new course design will be in operation and the committee are delighted to have the assistance of Mr Graham & Mr Hamilton as well as the expertise of Connell Hill Equestrian centre to make this section more suitable for Hunters of all ages and abilities. Whilst the closing date for entries of the horse and pony section is May 4, Working Hunters and Family Ponies can enter on show day, but at a higher rate then the pre-entries.
Competitors are asked to noe that all show jumping classes are ‘Enter on the Day’ and horse or pony exhibitors should enter the showgrounds via the Ecos roadway.
The sheep and goat section judging will commence from 9.30am and once again Young Handlers aged eight-14 will be able to show off their skills whilst trying to qualify for the Cydectin competition. Sheep section exhibitors should note that Warden Street is the way in for them this year again.
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Hide AdShearing exhibitors however can make their way to Slemish hall for 12.30pm via the Ecos entrance. The competition is always very stiff and the committee are delighted to have the assistance of the NI Sheep Shearing members and be part of the NI shearing circuit.
Cattle competitions commence from 10am and, catering for the trend, Ballymena has introduced a ‘Dexter’ section. This breed originated in the South West of Ireland and is the smallest native breed of cattle in the UK. They are hardy, dual-purpose cattle, producing excellent beef and milk and hopefully there will be a good display of all breeds on show day.
Cattle Young Handlers should note that the dairy Y/H classes will take place at the start of the day but beef Y/H classes will be held as normal after the section judging.
Caoimhe Mannion, Marketing Manager for Tesco says: ‘Tesco is delighted to sponsor the Aberdeen Angus cattle classes at this year’s show as all of the beef in Tesco meat counters is locally reared Aberdeen Angus beef, from 700 farms across Northern Ireland. We hope that as many of our staff and customers as possible will be able to attend on the day to support the event and wish the organisers every success.”
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Hide AdThe fluffy chicks are always a spectator favourite and will be on display in the Slemish hall. A
Pet Farm sponsored by Tesco will be on the grounds and will include Guinea Pigs, Micro Pigs, Llamas and Wallabies for the children to enjoy.
With rural crime a hot topic at the minute, Police in Ballymena have stepped up their ongoing work to help farmers keep their property safe and are pleased to be taking part in Ballymena show this year.
Temporary Superintendent John Magill states: “Within H District, projects such as trailer marking and information events have helped farmers take steps to prevent thefts. To add to this the PSNI will be attending Ballymena show with new advice materials and local police on hand to offer their help.
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Hide Ad“The PSNI are delighted to have this opportunity to bring first-hand advice to the local farming community” he said.
Young Farmers activities are always good fun and the ever popular ‘It’s a Knockout’ for charity, sponsored by Style ‘N’ Sport, will ensure that competitors get wet and have a laugh. This along with the Tractor Handling and Jeep Challenge will take place after the cattle parade in the afternoon and organisers are thrilled with the enthusiasm of the three local clubs, Ahoghill, Glarryford and Lisnamurrican.
The Craft marquee will feature a hoard of exhibits highlighting the level of talent in the area. Classes are available for baking, photography, painting, decoupage, tapestry, writing, poetry, miniature gardens, floral art and lots more.
Entries will be accepted from children of all ages, ladies, gents, Womens Institutes, Young Farmers, Homes, Day centres and school pupils of all capabilities – ‘Something for Everyone’ – so don’t miss the closing date for entries at the beginning of May.
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Hide AdWith the support of the Community Relations Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland through its National Lottery Programme, Partisan Productions Theatre company will present ‘The Field Hospital’ at Ballymena show. This is a lively and entertaining look at the current realities of rural life and combines music, song, comedy, drama and pantomime and will be presented several times during the course of Saturday. Show chairman, Randal Hayes who is looking forward to the end of May, when the hard work of volunteers and committee comes to it’s pinnacle says: “I would like to sincerely thank all those who contribute to this event in any way including the exhibitors, traders, volunteers and sponsors, without whom there would be no show.
“In this time of recession, we are grateful to all who continue to support Ballymena Show but we realise it is increasingly difficult to raise the monies required to run the event and pay out prize money to those who win the classes.”
Entries are still open but not for long so get them in to the show office soon before the closing dates – check online www.ballymenashow.co.uk for schedules and entry forms.
Q107 kindly supported by Tesco, will be marketing the event at the end of May and distribution of fliers which were sponsored by Michelin will be starting soon.
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Hide AdWith expected prize money of over £18,000 being paid out to winners, Ballymena Show realises the importance of the sponsorship/donations listed below:
GENERAL:
Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena -4 Bed spaces
AIR Services, Ballymena - £300
Mayor of Ballymena - £600
Ballymena Borough Council - Loan of Equipment
The Big House, Ballymena - Voucher
Caddy Veterinary Practice, Randalstown - £20
DT Carson & Co, Ballymena - £240
Grove Veterinary Centre, Ballymena - £250 + Vet Cover
Gerard Kennedy, Dunloy - £200
R Logan, Cloughmills - TBC
Wilson McCurdy Haulage, Broughshane - £150
Mr David McKay, Ballymena - TBC
N & P Tyres, Ballymena - £120
Oldstone Veterinary Clinic, Ballymena - £250 + Vet Cover
P & O European Ferries, Larne - Voucher
George Robinson Ltd, Ballymena - £60
Stephens Catering, Broughshane - Loan of Equipment
Warwick Engineering, Moorfields -TBC
MARKETING & ENTERTAINMENT:
Michelin Tyre plc, Ballymena - £600
Tesco (NI) - Radio Campaign
Tesco (NI) - Pet Farm
Ulster Farmers Union, Ballymena - Posters
HORSE:
Algram, Ballymena - £100
Mr Sammy Anderson, Cullybackey - 10 Bags of Feed
Ashgrove Conservatories - Loan of Equipment
Castledawson Pharmacy - £300
Clydesdale Horse Society - Rosettes
Connell Hill Centre, Randalstown - Loan of Equipment
Francis Connon, Ballymena - TBC
Mr Thomas Gregg, Clough - £20
Hamilton Hunters, Broughshane - £50
Killyless Stores, Cullybackey - £150
McCarroll & McConnell, Ballymena - £102
McKeown Accountants, Ballymena - £150
James McNeill Hardware, Broughshane - £100
Mr Brian Millar, Ballymena - Farrier service
Northern Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £200
OB Construction, Magherafelt - £360
Old Mill Saddlery, Ballycarry -£50 of Vouchers
Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society - Rosettes
Stephens Catering, Broughshane - £120
Woodhill Training, Ballymena -£240
CATTLE:
Aberdeen Angus Association (Irish) - Award & Rosette
Ayrshire Cattle Society - Rosette
Ulster Ayrshire Cattle Club - £50
Bank of Ireland, Ballymena - £259.20
Charolais Cattle Society - Plaque
Cloverhill Fuels Ltd, Maghera -£50
H Colvin & Son, Ahoghill -£100
Cookstown Dairy Services, Ballymoney -£100
Dairy Herd Management, Belfast - £180
Donnelly & Taggart, Honda, Ballymena - £180
Holstein UK - Rosettes
Holstein NI - Award
R Kennedy & Co (NI) Ltd, Ballymena - £400
Kilco (International) Ltd, Scotland - £150
Lamont Butchers, Cullybackey - £50
NI Limousin Club - £75
McAllister Butchers, Broughshane - £50
JA McClelland & Sons, Ballyclare - £120
HA McIlrath & Sons Ltd, Kilrea - £150
McKervill Neilly, Ballymena - £400
McLarnon Feeds, Randalstown - £408
Moore Concrete, Ballymena - £200
Moores Animal Feeds, Broughshane - £444
Nampak Plastics Ltd., Ballymena - £240
Northern Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £200
Northern Farm Supplies, Toomebridge - £108
Patton Group, Ballymena - £200
Mr David Porter, Antrim - £250
Robin Rainey & Sons Ltd, Randalstown - £50
Rainvault, Draperstown - £60
Simmental Society - Rosettes
Simmental Breeders Club (NI) - £50
Sloan Butchers, Ballymena - £270
Stevenson Quarries, Ballymena £180
Tesco (NI) - £378
John Thompson & Sons Ltd, Belfast - £120 + Award
Ulster Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £500
United Feeds, Belfast - £180
SHEEP/GOAT:
Ballymena Meats - £100
Scottish Blackface Society - Rosette
Charollais Sheep Society - Rosette
Clady Timber Co. Ltd. - £100
Doherty & Gray, Ballymena - £180
First Trust Bank, Ballymena - £48
Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders( NI) - £30
McCaughan/Zermex - Prizes
McCarroll Plant Hire, Cloughmills - £50
Northern Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £200
Pfizer - Prizes
Quicktag, Ballycastle - Vouchers
Suffolk Sheep Society -Rosette
Texel Breeders Club (NI) - £50
United Feeds, Belfast - £180
SHEARING:
First Trust Bank, Ballymena - £120
Lister Shearing, England - Loan of Equipment
Tesco (NI) - £540
TheFarmPage.com - £150
Ulster Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £250
POULTRY:
Moy Park - £200
John Thompson & Sons Ltd, Belfast - Prize Cards & Feed
YFC:
First Trust Bank, Ballymena - £72
Donnelly & Taggart, Ballymena - Loan of Equipment
Style ‘N’ Sport (in conjunction with Marx) -£250
HOME INDUSTRIES:
Mortons Flour, (Andrews Mills), Belfast -Baking classes
FLORAL ART:
Mrs Mary Knox, Broughshane - £20
Mrs Ross McGookin, Ahoghill - £25
Mrs Mavis Speers, Ballymena -£60