Action packed Countryside Live

Countryside Live takes place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate with competitive classes for cattle, sheep, horses and ponies forming the backbone of the event. Elsewhere there will be displays by the Xtreme Trial Motorbikes, dog agility demonstrations, falconry and a vast range of Yorkshire food and drink – plus the popular cookery theatre. Many of the activities are held inside the exhibition halls and last year more than 10,000 people came through the gates. The event is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and this will be its eighth year.

Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director said: “Countryside Live gives a wonderful snapshot of rural life, show casing some of the finest livestock to be seen anywhere in the UK, but also, there’s plenty for families and particularly children to see and do.

It’s vital that as an agricultural society we continue to provide a bridge to improve understanding between general visitors and the farming industry and that is exactly what Countryside Live does.”

For the first time there will be' have a go' archery sessions, and alpacas from the Yorkshire Alpaca Association. In the equestrian section, former Olympic showjumper Graham Fletcher and his hugely successful wife Tina, will lead the competition tutorials.*

Around the event, the tug of war, organised by the Young Farmers Clubs, is always a crowd pleaser, as is the Country Crafts pavilion which is home to dozens of interactive opportunities for youngsters.

Lovers of flowers, fruit and veg will be able to enjoy the horticultural section which this year includes flower arranging classes, as well as a class for a display by greenfingered schoolchildren.

With plenty of opportunity for shopping around the 100-plus trade stands, competitive classes for everything from sausages to pigeons to honey and farriery, it all adds up to an event not to be missed. And ticket prices have been held at the 2009 rate.

*Further details re the new showjumping competition will be announced in due course.

Admission to Countryside Live

Tickets are available now and there are savings for groups, and all tickets booked in advance. For more information visit: www.countrysidelive.co.uk

Countryside Live is open from 9am-5pm on the Saturday and 9am-4.30pm on the Sunday. Parking is free and extensive and free shuttle buses will take visitors from the car parks to the entrance gate.

Please note dogs, other than assistance dogs are not allowed on the showground. Be kind to your dog and please leave it at home.