1500 attend show season opener
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THE agricultural show season kicked off in Caithness on Saturday with the Canisbay Show.
The event drew farming enthusiasts from across the Far North as well as those pulled in by a number of popular attractions.
Organisers said around 1500 people turned up – down on last year’s record-breaking figure of 2000. However, they said the number of visitors still managed to exceed their expectations.
Secretary Avril Henderson said the event was judged a success by those who were there.
"Despite HarbourFest taking place in Wick and Halkirk Gala, we still had a great crowd who enjoyed the day and, thanks to the weather brightening up in the afternoon, it finished on a high note," she told the John O’Groat Journal.
"We thought we might see less people than previous years due to other events that were taking place across the county, but we were delighted with the number of people who turned up.
"With it being the 99th anniversary, we wanted to make it a good show to build up to our centenary next year and I think we did that."
Livestock judging took place in the morning before Iain Thomson, a former auctioneer from Thurso, who now resides in Tain, officially opened the show. He was given the task of choosing this year’s champion of champions – a title he awarded to Hayley Florence (16), of Houstry of Dunn Farmhouse, Watten, with her eight-year-old part-Arab mount Newoak Gold Dust. The reserve supreme champion title was given to Alistair McCarthy (10), of Seafield View, Mey, with his cross Texel ewe lamb.
Dave Kennedy, of Whitegate, Canisbay, took the cattle championship with his eight-month-old cross Limousin bullock after the AI bull Killerton Travis.
The poultry championship winner was Jane Roberts, of Scarfskerry, with her two-year-old Black Orpington bantam cock, Clarence.
Kerry Lee, of Schoolhouse, Skirza, took the goat championship with Lily May, a 15-month-old goatling.
In the flower show, Christine Shearer, from Canisbay, came out on top with her diamond jubilee exhibit.
This year’s show queen was Andrea Cormack who presided over the day’s events with her attendants, Vicki Dunnet and Sarah Mowat, who are all P7 pupils at Canisbay school.
Attractions on the day included Kuk Sool Won and farrier demonstrations together with quad-bike racing, a dog show and vintage car display.
