DESPITE Exmoor farmers experiencing the worst outbreak in the country of bluetongue disease in their livestock and the effects of five heatwaves this year, the 178th Dunster Show on Friday (August 21) was again celebrated in great style.
The show, sponsored by Wilkie May and Tuckwood, is West Somerset’s largest agricultural event and once more saw huge crowds enjoy the competitions and thrilling main arena attractions.
Entries were strong in all three major categories of sheep, cattle, and horses, making for plenty of hotly contested classes.
With new competitions added for 2026, including vintage machinery and farm produce and eggs, as well as a naturally shed antler contest for a second year for the John Addicott Shield, the show proved as popular as ever.
Supreme champion in the horse section was taken by Irish Draft Canis Major, exhibited and owned by Mrs Amanda Marfleet, from Ashford, Kent.
Supreme Champion Beef exhibit was taken by John May, from Crediton, with his Devon bull Priorton Yeoman.
Supreme champion dairy exhibit was taken by BJ and JH Tythcott with a Holstein cow, Churchcombe Wendy242, from Torrington.
Supreme Champion Sheep was won by Austen and Michelle Lockyer, from Highbridge, with their Blue Texel.
The livestock sections were sponsored by local company Shearwell Data and the horse section by local solicitors Porter Dodson.
Although livestock numbers were down on previous years due to the bluetongue outbreak, there was still strong support, and the grand parade offered an opportunity to see some wonderful stock and the crowning of the supreme champions.
The vintage machinery section, sponsored by Hunt Forest, offered its first-ever competition in four categories, and the parade was an opportunity to celebrate the winners and all those who had displayed their lovingly restored vehicles all day.
A new farm produce and eggs section was developed this year with a wonderful display found along with a fleece competition in the livestock area.
The addition of a ‘Castle Green’ area proved extremely popular and added to the excitement of the show with local favourite ‘The Sheep Show’ entertaining the crowds, while local food producers and the Hawkstone bar offered a bite to eat, a cool drink, and a place to sit and soak in the atmosphere.
There was a welcome return by the Jamie Squibb motorcycle display team, having not visited for several years, and they made quite an impression on the crowds as they flew through the air.
The Shetland Pony Grand National proved just as popular, showing some incredible skill and bravery by their young riders, with the excitement palpable as they raced for glory over the mini national hunt fences.
The weather could not have been better, with wall-to-wall sunshine but without the extreme heat the area has experienced this summer.
Members, exhibitors, and the public all enjoyed what has often been described as ‘the most magical one day show in the country’.
The date for next year’s show has already been fixed, and it will be on Friday, August 20, 2027.
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