A Beltex ewe swept all the competition aside at the weekend to take the champion of champions title at this year’s Peebles Show.
But the big talking point was whether the switch of venue to a field at Nether Horsburgh Farm, at Cardrona – used due to Haylodge Park in Peebles currently undergoing improvement work – should be made permanent by show organisers, Peebles Agricultural Society.
The new location proved hugely popular with a big crowd flocking to view the hundreds of entries in the livestock classes, as well as a host of family entertainment and trade stands.
Almost completely dry conditions also helped and the venue provided flat fields, something of a luxury for an agricultural society more used to the slopes of Haylodge Park.
The flat site was also a major factor in attracting 50 percent more horse entries than last year.
And society president, Robert Barr, admitted that so successful was the switch of venue that, despite originally being planned only as a one-off change, it could possibly result in a new permanent home for the show after around a century at Haylodge Park.
“We’re very happy with the way the show went, after all the organisation needed because of the change of venue,” Mr Barr told The Southern this week.
“I heard no adverse comments from anyone, about anything, during the whole day. There was a good crowd certainly – put it this way, the 10-acre car park was full.”
Mr Barr said the possibility of a new venue was something raised by a number of people, but that it was very early days as far as that was concerned.
But he did say the Nether Horsburgh Farm location had drawn many positive comments, with the society’s Facebook page seeing a considerable number of posts.
“The society has put £12,500 towards the improvements currently being undertaken at Haylodge Park, but this new site was in a superb, very picturesque setting, with more elbow room and parking,” said Mr Barr.
“There is also ample space that could let us think about expanding various aspects of the show and parking is becoming a real problem at Haylodge Park.
“But it’s very early days and all this will have to be discussed. There would also have to be a lot of negotiations.”
And while this year’s event may not have topped the 2012 record-breaking show, it will certainly have run it close, with 800 sheep entries alone.
And it is easy to see why Peebles Show attracts such quality animals from exhibitors from around the country.
“There were several Highland Show sheep champions beaten into second places in their classes, which tells you something about the quality of entries,” added Mr Barr.
“We have possibly the best Blackface and best Blue-Faced Leicester show anywhere.
“Horse entries were also up by a massive 50 percent on last year and cattle classes were also very busy.”
The show-topping Beltex ewe, which earlier in the day had taken the William Forbes Cup for sheep inter-breed champion, before adding the Jimmy Johnston Trophy for overall show champion, came from Richard Wood, at Kingledors, who kept the winning momentum going after a successful three days at the Carlisle Beltex sale.
Runner-up was the Shorthorn cow from W&I McGregor, of Chesterhall Parks, which took the RBS Cup for cattle inter-breed champion.
The Graham Irvine Cup for Light Horse Champion went to Holly Stewart, Fans, while the Points Cup went to J Wight, Midlock.
For full show results visit our website.