SUNSHINE drew record crowds to Sedgefield Show – and the organisers hailed it as one of the best they could remember.

Entries were up, with strong cattle and sheep classes and goats on display for the first time in many years.

Exhibitions by rural rangers, forestry horses, Sedgefield Young Farmers and vintage tractor owners surrounded the main ring, where hounds from the South Durham Hunt made a late afternoon entrance following a busy programme of show jumping, handling and pony sports.

Inside the marquees, where schedules and raffle tickets all sold out, there were crafts, cakes, jams, flowers and vegetables, scarecrows, walking sticks and farm and gardening produce.

Children from local schools had made birthday cards, jewellery, biscuits and needlework items, and there was music from Hartlepool College students.

Show chairman Ian Mason was pleased to see the sun shining after a run of poor weather over recent years.

He said: “It makes all the difference.

We have had a great day.

“We try to bring the rural aspect into the local community and we think it has worked.

“It is important to find a balance which offers something for everybody and makes it a day for people to enjoy.

“It is a good platform to build on for next year.”

The Mayor Sedgefield, Coun Sheila Sutherland, presented the trophies. She said: “It has been a fantastic show. There has been a lot to see and more stands to visit.

“Events like these are good for the community because they bring people together.”

Sedgefield trophy winners

Supreme champion and W McIvor Cup, best horse: F Grieves. Champion breeding pony, RS Tate Cup: Barrdene Benjamin.

Hunters. – Capt Ramsden Challenge Cup: C Dawson. Morrison Perpetual Challenge Cup, best hunter: R Hall.

Mountain and Moorland ponies.

– JW Thompson Trophy, champion Dales pony: T and J Sharp.

Manorian Trophy, stallion: J and M Metcalfe. Maurice Hogg Memorial Trophy, Dales gelding: D Crawley.

Welsh ponies. – Craven Championship Salver, champion Welsh pony, and Brierdene Challenge Trophy, section A: G Farrow.

Boston Challenge Trophy, section B: L Wallace.

Mountain and moorland. – Kell Trophy, fell pony: T and A Walton.

Howe Trophy, Welsh cob: Y Vincent.

Champion in-hand fell pony: L Wallace.

Riding classes. – Ridden: N Vincent.

Shetland ponies. – Junior champion: L Hutchings. Dorothy Arthur Challenge Cup, best Shetland in show: K Wilkinson.

Riding ponies. – Bog Hall Trophy, best pony not a winner in classes 46-48: E Anderson. Tally Ho Trophy, lead rein winner: C Teague. Fieldmaster Trophy, riders under ten: M Neesam.

Best rider. – Erica Williams Trophy, lead rein rider under seven: P Carr. off lead rein: Chloe Cubello.

Cattle. – Mrs Ramsden Challenge Cup, heifer: T Sedgewick. E Hopkinson Cup, bullock: J Marks.

Robert Brown Bowl, pair beef cattle: T Sedgewick. George Marley Salver, beef animal, exhibitor living within five miles of Sedgefield: L Corner. Ted Pinkney Cup: A Hall and L Corner.

Sheep. – W Craggs Challenge Cup, cross bred pen: S Blythman.

Frank Hedley Challenge Cup, pair cross-bred lambs: G McKenzie.

Miss E Brown Silver Salver, pen cross-bred shearling gimmers: M Skidmore.

Shepherds’ crooks and sticks.

– Roland Swinbank Memorial Cup, best exhibit: D Nelson.

Photography. – CB Hunter Trophy, best exhibit: 1 P Sharp.

Children’s photography. – Rosie Dove Trophy, best exhibit: H Brown.

Special awards. – Margaret Waller Cup, best children’s exhibit: H Curry. Ann and Norman Oliver Trophy, scarecrow: B Borrowdale.

Champion turnout. – Wheatley Wilson Cu: K & L Wilson.

Farm produce. – Young Farmers’ Cup, points: P Raw.

For full resulss see today's Darlington and Stockton Times