A NEW level of prestige has been added to the Wensleydale Show for cattle exhibitors with the first interbreed champion trophy – and it was won by a pair of local young handlers.

Attendance at the 101st show was believed to be about 7,000 - and despite a short heavy downpour the crowds enjoyed a mix of country pursuits and motorcycle stunt driving from Steve Colley.

Luke and Beth Wilkinson, aged 14 and 16, from Leyburn, took the champion of champions prize on Saturday (August 29) for their British Blue bull called Hawk.

The teenager’s father, James Wilkinson, said the pair are always keen to do well and was thrilled at their success.

He said: “My wife Rachel and I used to do the showing but now they have taken over. It’s great to see them do well.

“They also got champion commercial and champion pedigree beef as well as the interbreed champion. The bull was bred by BR Lawson and Son at Whashton, Richmond, and he was reserve champion at the Great Yorkshire Show this year and last year.”

The interbreed cattle champion trophy was sponsored by Lowes Financial Management, and Peter Collins from the firm was at the show to present the trophy.

He said: “I love coming to the show and wanted to contribute so I asked the committee what I could do that was new and they suggested the interbreed championship for cattle.”

Supreme sheep champion went to Paul Fairburn’s Blue Faced Leicester gimmer shearling.

Mr Fairburn, from Merriforth Farm, Thornton Stewart, near Leyburn, said: “I’m delighted to have won. She also won at the Highland Show in June. She is home bred so I’m really pleased with how well she is doing.”

Show chairman Bob Dixon reported that entry levels were as strong as last year for the 100th show with more than 3,000 entries for all classes, including 609 sheep, 197 cattle, 303 horses and 378 poultry.

Horticultural, handicraft and homecraft sections accounted for 1,617 entries for the flower and vegetable show. A vintage section attracted 110 tractors, cars, and steam traction engines.