AN estimated 7,000 people went through the gates to enjoy the best of country life at the 169th annual Dunster Show.

The top honours went outside West Somerset, with cups for the best beef exhibit and the best sheep both going to Devon, while the best horse silverware went to Adsborough, near Taunton.

A British Blue bull owned by Edward Haste, of Shebbear, went away with the Wellington Hotel Cup in the cattle section for the best beef entry.

A charollais shown by Carol Irwin, of Kings Nympton, won the Dick Tucker Cup for the best sheep exhibit.

And Deborah Porter and Andrew Pitman, of Adsborough, were presented with the Crittall Warmlife Cup and the President’s Prize for the best horse or pony in the show with their part-bred Arab filly Wycroft Forget-Me-Not.

But it was not just the hotly contested stock and horse competitions which drew the crowds as there were also plenty of attractions in the main ring as well as stalls and displays around the showground.

The main entertainment was provided by motorcyclist Jamie Squibb with a daredevil acrobatic display.

Ricky Maloney showed how he controlled his working dogs, while Michael Davie’s birds of prey wowed the crowds.

A parade of hounds proved popular before the main ring entertainment culminated in a grand parade of the day’s cattle, sheep and horse winners.

This year’s show attracted a record-breaking number of sheep entries and there was also a bumper range of local producers selling their wares in the food hall.

Show chairman Roger Richmond said a lot of hard work had gone into planning and staging the one-day event and everyone was pleased with how well the day had gone.

“It’s a very local show which is a great thing as we’re very lucky to have all our volunteer stewards and helpers every year who do it just for the love of Dunster Show.

“It’s always a great atmosphere – and the quality of stock this year was absolutely exceptional.

“Cattle numbers were down a bit because of TB but the sheep numbers were definitely up, as were the horses.

“We brought back the working hunter class this year and that went down very well with the riders and the public,” Mr Richmond said.

The committee presented nine bursaries of £1,000 each to local students to help with their studies and made three long-service awards to stalwart show supporters.

The long-service awards were given to former president Fred Rawle, show treasurer Gareth Jones and horse steward Derrick Scott.

RESULTS AND MORE PICTURES IN THE FREE PRESS