One of the highlights of the summer season is the resurgence of the agricultural shows. Regardless of whether you are a competitor or a spectator, there is something to see for everyone.

Pre-COVID, the child and I were regular attendees at the midlands shows. We contested the family pony classes with a suitably disgruntled equine in tow, and we were quite devoted to the fancy dress section. When the horsing was over, we would head into the main showground in search of chips and entertainment.

We tried to recreate things post-COVID in 2022. Using our coloured cob, some particularly poor quality haberdashery and a couple of hastily purchased costumes online, we did our best as a cowboy and Indian duo. Sadly though, as the summer waned, so did the child’s enthusiasm for showing. It is testimony to the allure and excitement of the agricultural show in general that the child is still as keen as mustard to attend - just minus the ‘boring’ pony.

Prestigious titles

The agricultural shows certainly provide an at times fierce level of competition, with many prestigious titles up for grabs. It is a treat to see the very best quality horses and livestock in the country being exhibited, but I suspect the toughest contests are fought out in the produce tents.

I have always been transfixed with the truly enormous marrows, the work-of-art cakes and the spectacular floral displays that people clearly work so hard to create.

Having had less than moderate success in the saddle in 2022, I decided to branch out a little for the last agricultural show of the year. “How hard can it be?” I foolishly thought, as I googled a recipe for a cherry cake. I am extremely limited in any kind of domestic arena, and I had perhaps overlooked this fact. I didn’t bother practicing. I had one go at it, and I submitted that effort for judging. Needless to say, I came last. It tasted ok, though.

Best silage

All was not lost. I also entered the ‘best silage’ class. I created a lovely display in a shoe box, using toy cows and a toy tractor.

The other exhibitors used old meal sacks - a poor effort, if you ask me! It poured with rain and my display was ruined. However, I finished third and I won a fiver.

As the creator of the silage, my husband took the credit for that one!