LAST week’s Bolesworth Classic Show has been hailed a ‘terrific success’.
Despite an uncertain start on Thursday, when wet weather forced organisers to call the first day off to preserve the ground, the glorious sunshine throughout the weekend more than made up for it.
Thousands of visitors descended on the Bolesworth Estate near Tattenhall to catch a glimpse of some famous showjumping names and enjoy the varied activities on offer.
The emphasis on this year’s show was family entertainment, and visitors were not disappointed with attractions ranging from birds of prey displays, zorbing, Punch and Judy shows, donkey rides, climbing walls, extreme trampolining and vintage fairground rides.
Elsewhere, the Food Fashion & Lifestyle pavilion was brimming with the best of local produce and visitors were treated to the delights of a jazz band.
Also back by popular demand were the Newfoundland Rescue Bears who wowed everyone with their rescue demonstrations in the lake, as well as Land Rover and helicopter rides, showjumping sheep and the ever-popular Bolesworth Classic Dog Show and Dog Agility.
Riders competed for a share of an impressive £70,000 prize fund and competition was fierce in both showjumping rings throughout the three day event. Joe Clayton won one of the major classes on Friday in the 1.4m Open on Ingliston Twister, adding to his winning streak on Saturday when he took the 1.4m Accumulator on Michael Whitaker’s Aiyetoro.
Sunday was just as action packed, with Cheshire-based showjumper Keith Shore winning the Small Grand Prix riding Zegreanne Z and taking the CLA Anthony Barbour Trophy.
The winner of the coveted Bolesworth Classic Grand Prix was Anthony Condon on Value T, owned by Paul Strafford, and ending the show on Sunday was William Whitaker, who won the Six-Bar on Bowhouse Rubis.
Organiser Nina Barbour said the event was the show’s best year yet.
“This has been, without a doubt, our best year yet, an incredible achievement considering the challenging weather conditions at the beginning of the week.
“Our amazing ground-staff worked around the clock to keep the Bolesworth Classic Show on the road and thankfully, the weather came good on Friday and we had a fantastic three days of world-class competition under glorious blue skies.”
