Ballymena Show 1012 -Bigger and Better Than Ever

IT’S Show time again in Ballymena from May 25-26 and the 2012 event is set to be a huge hit with all the famiy.

Once again, the first day, which falls this year on Friday, May 25, will be dedicated to horse jumping starting at 9.30am with qualifiers for Cavan during the day and Amateur TRI A & AA classes from 1pm. Prize money and prizes offered are valued at over £1300.

The Show Committee are delighted to be able to bring the horse and pony showing together this year on the Saturday to choose a Supreme Champion

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Saturday, May 26, is the main day of the show which opens to the public at 9am with judges pouring in from near and far to assess the stock and crafts on display.

Shows are renowned as being a shop window for the rural industry – a focal point for development and assistance whilst providing an educational experience to the urban community along with a fun day out.

Traders open their stalls at 9am to the public on the Saturday and a wide variety is already booked with crafts, jewellery, tourist information, speciality foods, iron gates, garage door systems, sweets and treats, livestock and garden equipment, financial advice, machinery, quads, property sales, cupcakes, textiles, ceramics, charities, health advice, solar energy and more.

Those who go along can also look at the grace and agility of top class horses trying to gain first prize and also see the young stars of tomorrow learning how to groom, lead and ride the ponies.

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Ballymena is privileged to be chosen as one of only six shows to hold a qualifier for the renowned RDS Breeders Championship with the final at the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse show where prize money for this one class is over €18,000.

Working Hunter competitors will be pleased to learn that a new course design will be in operation and the committee are delighted to have the assistance of Mr Graham & Mr Hamilton as well as the expertise of Connell Hill Equestrian centre to make this section more suitable for Hunters of all ages and abilities. Whilst the closing date for entries of the horse and pony section is May 4, Working Hunters and Family Ponies can enter on show day, but at a higher rate then the pre-entries.

Competitors are asked to noe that all show jumping classes are ‘Enter on the Day’ and horse or pony exhibitors should enter the showgrounds via the Ecos roadway.

The sheep and goat section judging will commence from 9.30am and once again Young Handlers aged eight-14 will be able to show off their skills whilst trying to qualify for the Cydectin competition. Sheep section exhibitors should note that Warden Street is the way in for them this year again.

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Shearing exhibitors however can make their way to Slemish hall for 12.30pm via the Ecos entrance. The competition is always very stiff and the committee are delighted to have the assistance of the NI Sheep Shearing members and be part of the NI shearing circuit.

Cattle competitions commence from 10am and, catering for the trend, Ballymena has introduced a ‘Dexter’ section. This breed originated in the South West of Ireland and is the smallest native breed of cattle in the UK. They are hardy, dual-purpose cattle, producing excellent beef and milk and hopefully there will be a good display of all breeds on show day.

Cattle Young Handlers should note that the dairy Y/H classes will take place at the start of the day but beef Y/H classes will be held as normal after the section judging.

Caoimhe Mannion, Marketing Manager for Tesco says: ‘Tesco is delighted to sponsor the Aberdeen Angus cattle classes at this year’s show as all of the beef in Tesco meat counters is locally reared Aberdeen Angus beef, from 700 farms across Northern Ireland. We hope that as many of our staff and customers as possible will be able to attend on the day to support the event and wish the organisers every success.”

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The fluffy chicks are always a spectator favourite and will be on display in the Slemish hall. A

Pet Farm sponsored by Tesco will be on the grounds and will include Guinea Pigs, Micro Pigs, Llamas and Wallabies for the children to enjoy.

With rural crime a hot topic at the minute, Police in Ballymena have stepped up their ongoing work to help farmers keep their property safe and are pleased to be taking part in Ballymena show this year.

Temporary Superintendent John Magill states: “Within H District, projects such as trailer marking and information events have helped farmers take steps to prevent thefts. To add to this the PSNI will be attending Ballymena show with new advice materials and local police on hand to offer their help.

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“The PSNI are delighted to have this opportunity to bring first-hand advice to the local farming community” he said.

Young Farmers activities are always good fun and the ever popular ‘It’s a Knockout’ for charity, sponsored by Style ‘N’ Sport, will ensure that competitors get wet and have a laugh. This along with the Tractor Handling and Jeep Challenge will take place after the cattle parade in the afternoon and organisers are thrilled with the enthusiasm of the three local clubs, Ahoghill, Glarryford and Lisnamurrican.

The Craft marquee will feature a hoard of exhibits highlighting the level of talent in the area. Classes are available for baking, photography, painting, decoupage, tapestry, writing, poetry, miniature gardens, floral art and lots more.

Entries will be accepted from children of all ages, ladies, gents, Womens Institutes, Young Farmers, Homes, Day centres and school pupils of all capabilities – ‘Something for Everyone’ – so don’t miss the closing date for entries at the beginning of May.

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With the support of the Community Relations Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland through its National Lottery Programme, Partisan Productions Theatre company will present ‘The Field Hospital’ at Ballymena show. This is a lively and entertaining look at the current realities of rural life and combines music, song, comedy, drama and pantomime and will be presented several times during the course of Saturday. Show chairman, Randal Hayes who is looking forward to the end of May, when the hard work of volunteers and committee comes to it’s pinnacle says: “I would like to sincerely thank all those who contribute to this event in any way including the exhibitors, traders, volunteers and sponsors, without whom there would be no show.

“In this time of recession, we are grateful to all who continue to support Ballymena Show but we realise it is increasingly difficult to raise the monies required to run the event and pay out prize money to those who win the classes.”

Entries are still open but not for long so get them in to the show office soon before the closing dates – check online www.ballymenashow.co.uk for schedules and entry forms.

Q107 kindly supported by Tesco, will be marketing the event at the end of May and distribution of fliers which were sponsored by Michelin will be starting soon.

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With expected prize money of over £18,000 being paid out to winners, Ballymena Show realises the importance of the sponsorship/donations listed below:

GENERAL:

Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena -4 Bed spaces

AIR Services, Ballymena - £300

Mayor of Ballymena - £600

Ballymena Borough Council - Loan of Equipment

The Big House, Ballymena - Voucher

Caddy Veterinary Practice, Randalstown - £20

DT Carson & Co, Ballymena - £240

Grove Veterinary Centre, Ballymena - £250 + Vet Cover

Gerard Kennedy, Dunloy - £200

R Logan, Cloughmills - TBC

Wilson McCurdy Haulage, Broughshane - £150

Mr David McKay, Ballymena - TBC

N & P Tyres, Ballymena - £120

Oldstone Veterinary Clinic, Ballymena - £250 + Vet Cover

P & O European Ferries, Larne - Voucher

George Robinson Ltd, Ballymena - £60

Stephens Catering, Broughshane - Loan of Equipment

Warwick Engineering, Moorfields -TBC

MARKETING & ENTERTAINMENT:

Michelin Tyre plc, Ballymena - £600

Tesco (NI) - Radio Campaign

Tesco (NI) - Pet Farm

Ulster Farmers Union, Ballymena - Posters

HORSE:

Algram, Ballymena - £100

Mr Sammy Anderson, Cullybackey - 10 Bags of Feed

Ashgrove Conservatories - Loan of Equipment

Castledawson Pharmacy - £300

Clydesdale Horse Society - Rosettes

Connell Hill Centre, Randalstown - Loan of Equipment

Francis Connon, Ballymena - TBC

Mr Thomas Gregg, Clough - £20

Hamilton Hunters, Broughshane - £50

Killyless Stores, Cullybackey - £150

McCarroll & McConnell, Ballymena - £102

McKeown Accountants, Ballymena - £150

James McNeill Hardware, Broughshane - £100

Mr Brian Millar, Ballymena - Farrier service

Northern Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £200

OB Construction, Magherafelt - £360

Old Mill Saddlery, Ballycarry -£50 of Vouchers

Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society - Rosettes

Stephens Catering, Broughshane - £120

Woodhill Training, Ballymena -£240

CATTLE:

Aberdeen Angus Association (Irish) - Award & Rosette

Ayrshire Cattle Society - Rosette

Ulster Ayrshire Cattle Club - £50

Bank of Ireland, Ballymena - £259.20

Charolais Cattle Society - Plaque

Cloverhill Fuels Ltd, Maghera -£50

H Colvin & Son, Ahoghill -£100

Cookstown Dairy Services, Ballymoney -£100

Dairy Herd Management, Belfast - £180

Donnelly & Taggart, Honda, Ballymena - £180

Holstein UK - Rosettes

Holstein NI - Award

R Kennedy & Co (NI) Ltd, Ballymena - £400

Kilco (International) Ltd, Scotland - £150

Lamont Butchers, Cullybackey - £50

NI Limousin Club - £75

McAllister Butchers, Broughshane - £50

JA McClelland & Sons, Ballyclare - £120

HA McIlrath & Sons Ltd, Kilrea - £150

McKervill Neilly, Ballymena - £400

McLarnon Feeds, Randalstown - £408

Moore Concrete, Ballymena - £200

Moores Animal Feeds, Broughshane - £444

Nampak Plastics Ltd., Ballymena - £240

Northern Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £200

Northern Farm Supplies, Toomebridge - £108

Patton Group, Ballymena - £200

Mr David Porter, Antrim - £250

Robin Rainey & Sons Ltd, Randalstown - £50

Rainvault, Draperstown - £60

Simmental Society - Rosettes

Simmental Breeders Club (NI) - £50

Sloan Butchers, Ballymena - £270

Stevenson Quarries, Ballymena £180

Tesco (NI) - £378

John Thompson & Sons Ltd, Belfast - £120 + Award

Ulster Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £500

United Feeds, Belfast - £180

SHEEP/GOAT:

Ballymena Meats - £100

Scottish Blackface Society - Rosette

Charollais Sheep Society - Rosette

Clady Timber Co. Ltd. - £100

Doherty & Gray, Ballymena - £180

First Trust Bank, Ballymena - £48

Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders( NI) - £30

McCaughan/Zermex - Prizes

McCarroll Plant Hire, Cloughmills - £50

Northern Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £200

Pfizer - Prizes

Quicktag, Ballycastle - Vouchers

Suffolk Sheep Society -Rosette

Texel Breeders Club (NI) - £50

United Feeds, Belfast - £180

SHEARING:

First Trust Bank, Ballymena - £120

Lister Shearing, England - Loan of Equipment

Tesco (NI) - £540

TheFarmPage.com - £150

Ulster Bank Ltd, Ballymena - £250

POULTRY:

Moy Park - £200

John Thompson & Sons Ltd, Belfast - Prize Cards & Feed

YFC:

First Trust Bank, Ballymena - £72

Donnelly & Taggart, Ballymena - Loan of Equipment

Style ‘N’ Sport (in conjunction with Marx) -£250

HOME INDUSTRIES:

Mortons Flour, (Andrews Mills), Belfast -Baking classes

FLORAL ART:

Mrs Mary Knox, Broughshane - £20

Mrs Ross McGookin, Ahoghill - £25

Mrs Mavis Speers, Ballymena -£60

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