CROWDS flocked to the Monmouthshire Show today for a taste of the countryside.

The annual event held at the showground in Redbrook, near Monmouth, attracted between 18,000 and 20,000 people yesterday. The agriculture show had a number of different classes including horses, sheep, goats and cattle.

Liz Egerton, the show secretary, said: “This is my first year as show secretary. It has been an excellent day. Everybody is having a good time and it’s nice that the sun has come out.”

“We’ve had some fantastic entries from all over the country including Scotland and Cornwall. This is the last but one show for people to get their tickets to compete at the Horse of the Year Show.”

Ms Egerton said they have had around 855 entries in the horse category, around 150 cattle and 755 sheep.

She said: “The entries for sheep are up this year. There is a definite trend upwards.”

Father and son Eddie and Nigel Phillips from Black Meadows Farm, Llantilio-Crossenny, Abergavenny, brought three of their British limousin cows to the show and won two second place rosettes and a third place.

Crowds were entertained by The Kangaroo Kids, with their acrobatic daredevil display on quad bikes as well as the Usk Valley gun dog display.

Visitors got to experience scurry racing, show jumping and view more than 300 stalls including home crafts and a horticulture section. 

Rosemary Tillson, 55, came second in the speed class show jumping with her 14-year-old horse Turbo HZ. 

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted with my result. It’s a lovely show – I haven’t competed here for a few years but it’s a nicely laid out site and better than the old one.”

Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay, said: “It is a fantastic show every year. Lots of people are enjoying themselves and there is such a diverse range of stands.”

“Since the show committee decide to buy the showground – for the last several years it has gone from strength to strength.”