Park show gets ready for the big day

LURGAN Agricultural Show got their Centenary celebrations off to a fabulous start by hosting their Show Launch in the spectacular surroundings of Brownlow House, set in the corner of the Lurgan park overlooking the lake.

It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration with guests including the Lord Mayor of Craigavon, MLAs, sponsors and committee.

The Pony section this year are looking forward to introducing a much wider selection of Pure Bred, Part Bred and M&M classes with Welsh Pony & Cob Society Bronze Medal rosettes being awarded for the first time in Ireland. These will be awarded to the highest placed WP&CS member with their showing card on the day. WP&CS performance medals will also be awarded. These classes will be judged by Mrs Lillian Hilliard from Wales.

Both the Horse and Pony sections this year are hosting qualifiers for Equifest and Ponies UK Summer Championships. The Ridden Hunter classes and the Working Hunter Classic are all qualifiers for The Royal International Horse Show held in July at Hickstead Showgrounds. Various Irish Shows Association qualifiers are also available with Lurgan this year holding a qualifier for the Galway Irish Crystal three year old horse championship at Bannow & Rathangan Show.

Lurgan is also the only show in Ireland to run qualifiers for the prestigious North of England Show Championships. This year will also see the re-introduction of the Horse Working Hunter Classic.

This class is always full of enthusiastic exhibitors who are all eager to be in with a chance of winning some of the £1,000 prize fund. With classes for Miniature Horses, Donkeys, Clydesdales, Carriage Driving, Working Hunter and Showing to name only a few, there will certainly be a class for all! This year the show has six judges travelling from England, Scotland & Wales and three from all parts of Ireland to adjudicate the exhibits.

In conjunction with the Jubilee festivities in the Borough, the Show will also be hosting an outdoor music concert on Friday evening rounded off with a fireworks display at 10.15pm approximately. With the Equestrian classes kicking off at 9am on the Saturday morning it will certainly be an action packed weekend in Lurgan Park.

For anyone who has not received a schedule they are now available from the Equestrian Secretary Pennie Bunting – 07769 903 187 (after 2pm) or [email protected]

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