RAIN did nothing to stop crowds from across south Cumbria flocking to sample country delights and agricultural spectacles today.

Cartmel Show, which took place at the racecourse, had everything from cattle to food stalls. Long queues snaked from takeaway vans and confectionery stands as adults and children enjoyed the treats on offer.

The horses and ponies strutted their stuff around the ring, while riders put them through the paces in the showing classes. There were plenty of different breeds on show to keep the crowds entertained for hours including Dartmoor ponies, fell ponies, Connemara ponies and many more.

More than 200 horses and ponies entered, with more heavy horses entered in classes than ever before.

Looking down from the slope to the field, farmers and breeders gathered with livestock.

Mike Bigland, from Allithwaite, brought his zwartble sheep to the show. He walked away with four rosettes from his prize livestock. The prizes he walked away with were: reserve male champion; third in female shearling class; third in the female best pair; and second in the group of two girls and a boy.

He said: "We've had a good day. This is our first year of showing and only our second show, so we are doing really well.

"We are really happy, we are over the moon and more than I ever expected."

Many people could be seen running into nearby tents to shield from the rain. In the village industries enclosure, Janet Young was displaying her crafts and wedding decorations.

Mrs Young, from papermilldirect on the edge of Kendal, said: "We have a large selection of crafts, probably one of the biggest selections of card and paper in the country. We help people to design and make their own wedding stationery.

"We don't come to many events like this, but we came to this one because it is a lovely local event. The tent is lovely and spacious, certainly so far there seems to be a good number of people."

The food tent was one of the busiest at the show, with demonstrations taking place throughout the day. Different chefs from around the area turned up to show what they could do.

Michelin-starred chef, Simon Rogan, of L'Enclume – The Good Food Guide's number one restaurant in the UK for four consecutive years – gave a culinary demonstration in the show's new Food Theatre. Butcher, Jon Watson, and chef, Dan Akrigg, were also on hand showing the public how to prepare the best cuts of meat and produce from the Lake District.

Clare Gelderd, a photographer, was getting up close and personal with all the cattle and livestock. This is the first time she has done photography like this.

She said: "Even though it is raining it is busy, everyone has managed to get here so it is good and everyone is involved. It is always a really good show of cattle and sheep."

This year, visitors saw more than 300 sheep exhibits, with more than 20 children under 12 getting involved in the young handler classes. There were also more than 50 cattle exhibits.

For the first time in many years, longhorn cattle were back at the show. Visitors who went to watch the cattle being shown were educated on the health benefits of red meat.

There was plenty to keep the children busy, bouncy castles, archery, and a climbing wall saw them having bags of fun. The much loved Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling competition was open to all those willing to join throughout the day.

It was quite clear from the mass of people that gathered that the terrier race was by far the most popular event at the show. However, many of the small dogs didn't want to play ball. The race saw most of the dogs darting off in the wrong direction, although it did all serve to add to a great day’s entertainment.

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