THERE was a wonderful atmosphere at this year’s Okehampton Show last Thursday, writes Sarah Pitt.

Curly-haired sheep were paraded by their owners, muscular cattle were given a final brush up before being paraded in the ring, and ladies rode side saddle in fabulous costumes.

Farmers from the Okehampton area were joined by others from further afield, rubbing shoulders with locals and tourists.

Dartmoor provided a stunning backdrop, and everyone agreed that they were lucky with the weather which, after weeks of scorchers, was not too hot for the animals, with a refreshing breeze along with the sunshine.

Among the local exhibitors were the Luxton family of Stockley near Okehampton, showing their Aberdeen Angus bull Ballathie Emblem, taking a somewhat reluctant day off from the farm and his ‘40 girls’. He came second in his class, a bit of a disappointment given that he recently won Reserve Champion at the Royal Cornwall Show.

However, the family had more luck with their Farmer Luxton’s stand, showcasing their farm shop, which won first prize among the trade stands.

Sophie-May Luxton, 12, was showing her calf Boris. ‘It’s Sophie-May’s first young handler’s class and Boris’s too, he is only five-months-old and he’s an Aberdeen Angus cross,’ said Sophie-May’s auntie Rachael Luxton. ‘She’s been out with him every day over the past month, washing him and walking him.’

It was also a good day for the Mortimore family of Chagford with their Scottish Blackface sheep. They won three firsts; including a first for a group of two ewes and a ram and a first for their shearling ewe — who also won Breed Champion.

The day started early for many exhibitors; in fact for those exhibiting dairy goats it actually started the day before as they stayed over at the showground.

‘Because there is a milking test, the goats are in a milking competition and the goats are here overnight,’ said show secretary Sally Bullingham. ‘We get quite a few exhibitors coming from further away, because it is such an interesting place to visit.

‘That goes for visitors to the show too. Obviously it is a gathering point for the agricultural community because of the animals, but we also get lots of visitors including quite a few tourists.’

The show is still very much a traditional agricultural one, with showing classes in the ring culminating in a parade of winning animals. Their immaculate appearance was proof of the hours their owners had put in beforehand with soap, brushes and hairdryers.

Shebbear farmers Nigel and Candy Jenkinson’s British Blues were bearing rosettes after winning a clutch of prizes, including Champion Pair in Breed.

‘This is my hobby,’ said Nigel. ‘Also, we are breeding these cattle to sell onto other people so this is our shop window. There are hopefully farmers and breeders looking for cattle, maybe even bulls and this is a good place to advertise.’

Brothers David and Ashley Bourne of North Tawton were exhibiting some unusual bright yellow sheep, having dyed their Pedigree Suffolks’ fleece, a tradition to make these black-headed sheep stand out. It paid off, as they were rewarded with two firsts and two seconds. ‘It has been a good day, winning four rosettes,’ said David.

Also standing out were the Belted Galloways, black cattle with a distinctive white vertical stripe.

While these cattle can be seen on Dartmoor, the ones on display at the show hailed from near Chawleigh in mid Devon.

They were being shown by Judith Galloway, who said her surname was purely a coincidence.

‘I love the shows,’ she said. ‘I love meeting people and the atmosphere; most of them are well organised, most of them are very, very friendly and I love showing off the cattle and educating the public about them. It’s been a good day.’

Among community groups and organisations at the show were Okehampton Police who had more than 200 visitors to their stand, with a police car proving a draw. Children had the chance to press buttons and try the siren, as well as having thieir fingerprints taken.