Last updated at 15:46, Thursday, 05 July 2012

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• Click here for details of the 2011 Hawkshead Show at cumbrialive.co.uk

A LAKE District agricultural show will feature on the international stage.

A German film crew making a programme similar to ITV’s The Lakes captured the highs and lows of Hawkshead Agricultural Show.

Show secretary Sue Todd was thrilled by the film crew’s attendance. She said: “It will put us on the international stage. It is very exciting. I am really pleased with how today is going. There are quite a few visitors and the weather is holding, which is great.”

Dark clouds tried and failed to put a dampener on the competition. Entrants from across the county descended on Hawkshead Hall Farm to battle it out for rosettes.

The sun tried to break through towards the afternoon as winners were announced over the loud speaker.

Horses took pride of place in the main ring with show jumping, lead rein and heavy horse classes.

Diane Park, from Millom, came away with a red ribbon for horse, Monty. The four-year-old came first in the horse-in-hand coloured class and competed in the lead rein later in the day too.

Mrs Park has been showing horses at Hawkshead for years but it was Monty’s first time and only his fifth ever show. Mrs Park said: “I think it went well, he is a star, I am looking forward to the rest of the day.

“He hasn’t been in a great number of shows but he has placed every time. Hawkshead is a nice little show and it is dry today, which is good, normally it can be a bit wet and muddy.”

Another group praying for the day to stay dry was Hawkshead Pre-School, which had a stall and was selling tickets for a balloon race.

Last year balloons reached as far as Germany and Holland and raised over £450 for the pre-school.

Tracey Thornley, pre-school leader, said the group hoped to raise as much money as possible with each entry costing £1.

Ms Thornley said: “Without fundraising we couldn’t keep the pre-school open.

“It costs around £12,000 per year to run. We aren’t there yet but hopefully this afternoon’s balloon flight will help to contribute. I hope the rain stays away and it goes well.”

The sheep classes were popular with visitors. Jessica Arnold, 14, came away with a first-placed rosette. Her sheep, aptly named Trouble, wriggled free and tried head-butting Jessica’s father.

The Zwartable was given to Jessica as a Christmas present and was raised as a pet, making the win even more wonderful. Jessica said: “I am very happy, we are from just across the road and it is nice to win at your local show. It is his first show and he won. I am going to show his sisters in a while, too.”

First published at 09:30, Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk