A 13-year-old farmer has been ploughing his own furrow in the competitive farming world.
Helsby High School pupil Sam Gittins took on the adults at the 2016 Cheshire Ploughing Match last month.
The youngest competitor in the field took home a trophy for his efforts.
Sam even used a plough he had built together in his garage with his dad Paul.
He said: “I was a little nervous prior to the match.
“On the day we got up early at 6am to ensure our kit was sound and we left home at 7am to be certain we got there in plenty of time.
“It was precision ploughing and I had to constantly measure depth and width. I had to adjust here and there to ensure that I could finish off evenly.”
The 93rd edition of the Cheshire Ploughing Match was held at Ashley Hall near Altrincham on September 28.
Sam had unfortunately been too young to enter last year when it was hosted in Frodsham.
The 13-year-old was entered in class nine for classic tractors from between 1960 and 1976.
Competitors had to plough their plot to the Society of Ploughman Rules, followed by making a ‘crown’, within the time limit. This was then assessed by the judging panel.
The Helsby High student scored 92 overall, close to the average of 104 from some of the county’s best ploughmen.
Mum Helen said: “We don’t come from a farming background, but he’s now really keen to take it further.
“Sam really, really enjoyed it and we all had a great day.”
Sam added: “I am really looking forward to next year and plan to practice to improve on my score.”
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