The Bath and West’s new features and outstanding competitions brought larger crowds to the showground which was bathed in lovely summer weather throughout the four days.

The Coronation Cup for the supreme champion beef animal was awarded to the Mells Park Trust’s three-year-old South Devon Bull, Carzise Claudius 1. He had won his class, the male championship and the breed championship before the most prestigious prize of the show.

In the British Limousin classes, John and Samantha Ward, of Mells, won the Cow or Heifer Class and the Reserve Female Champion and Reserve Breed Champion with their own Castlenook Jazz.

The only dairy champion was won by Heather Limond, from Writhlington, with her showmanship in the dairy section. Charlotte Limond was placed second in the intermediate age group with Justina Langley, from Farmborough, being placed fourth. In the senior section, Jo Langley, of Farmborough, was placed third. In the Guernsey breed classes, Norman & Sales, of Midsomer Norton, had a first prize and in the Holstein breed classes, another first. In the dairy calf classes, Caroline Huins, of Writhlington, won a first prize, as did the Norman & Sales partnership.

Another ‘Best in Show’ prize was won by Janet Warden, of Bishop Sutton, with an entry in the floral art section in the foliage class. Janet first started flower

arranging at the Bath and West when the show moved to the showground at Shepton Mallet. In the group class, Frome Floral Art Society, won the class ‘Happiness is the Joy of Gardening’, which was arranged by Liz Wright and Sue Ruddick. The ladies hope that their success will encourage anyone with a love of flowers to join the group who meet at Frome Cricket Club on the second Wednesday of each month at 2.15 p.m.

In the sheep shearing, Danny Wilson, from Temple Cloud, took part in the ‘Blade’ class. This is the old-fashioned hand-held shears. In the two years since he started to learn shearing, he won two novice classes last year and represented England in New Zealand in the spring. He is tipped to be part of the England squad for the World Championships in 2019 in France.

In the Horse Classes, the mountain and moorland junior ridden section large breeds was won by Mrs S. Blackman’s, who comes from Norton St Philip, Sellernan Diamond, ridden by Megan Blackman and was placed as Reserve Champions for the section.

Emma Mott, from Paulton, showed her RoR was placed second in the class for any height with her own Grey Hall. Emma’s Blanche Mulberry in the Mountain and Moorland leading rein class, ridden by Holly Lasbury, was placed.

Sally Pollett and Judith Ogborne, from Temple Cloud, won the Welsh Pony section B mare class with their own Laithehill Concerto with foal at foot. The foal also won the special prize for the best foal.

Eloise Pickett, from Midsomer Norton, won a second prize with her own Llanarth Autumn in the Welsh pony fill yearling class.

In the Open Pony of Show Hunter Type Class not exceeding 153cms, Wynnmere Amarillo was placed third, owned by Anne Wood, of Frome, ridden by Karson Wiltshire.

The Mendip Farmers’ Hunt paraded hounds and were also competing in the inter hunt relay and came second out of the eight teams entered.

Rosie Sage