Kentish Express Ashford & District
Fun for all with prize animals on display at show
Rural life in all its glorious forms was celebrated at the 88th Kent County Show.
Detling was bathed in sizzling sunshine for the weekend’s three-day showcase as thousands of visitors turned out to see everything from parades of prize livestock to bird of prey displays.
The main event this year was a Shetland Pony Grand National qualifier, which saw the runners and their young riders tear round the Astor Ring in a high-speed dash. The final will be at the Olympia Horse Show in December.
And things went from the exquisite to the absurd when sheep, saddled with cuddly toy monkeys, went head to head over hurdles in the Lamb National.
Visitors to the Kent Showground were able to learn bushcraft skills, watch shearing displays and even get hands on and have a go at milking a life-sized model cow at the Hadlow College marquee.
It was full steam ahead in the Heritage Ring, where three agricultural engines, Queen Mary, Sir John and Wilbur, were all celebrating their 100th birthdays.And the action was not confined to ground level, as a Spitfire showed off its aerobatic prowess each day in an awe-inspiring flypast.
A giant cheeky dinosaur called Dexter kept families entertained alongside funfair rides and a helter-skelter.
A spokesman for the show said: “I hope everyone who came along saw something new, learnt something different, tasted something they have never tried, and just generally had a wonderful fun filled day.”
For the full list of show results visit kentshowground.co.uk