Rain doesn’t dampen spirits on day one of Balmoral Show

Between the showers there were periods of strong sunshine which meant that outdoor and indoor stalls took turns in enjoying the attention of the crowds.

There was a great buzz about the opening day of the 154th Balmoral Show and just as the visitors to the showpiece were able to adapt to changeable weather, so too were the equine stars of the show.

According to an equestrian expert, the rain would not have deterred any of the competitors or their horses.

Ruth Loney, who in 1987 helped launch equestrian coverage in the News Letter news pages, believed the opening day had been a great success.

"Riders are not in the least bothered by rain or the elements,” she said.

“They never notice it and don't even talk about it.

“The arena at Balmoral Park is Olympic class. It was created by Clive Richardson who does stadiums of all sports worldwide. The drainage is excellent, so great horse riders love competing here.

“It went seamlessly despite the inclement weather – these athletes were jumping in heavy rain as they do in Spain in 30 degrees heat.

“There are horses here who jumped in San Tropez in the south of France days ago and then adjust at once to Northern Ireland.”

Balmoral Show is known for its freebies – like the red Spar cowboys hats which have dominated for the last number of years – but one particular prize giveaway this year has piqued the interest more than most.

A raffle has been organised for an agricultural shed measuring just over 20 by 15 metres.

Northern Ireland beef and lamb processors, ABP, are marking 25 years at Balmoral Show by replacing their traditional corporate marquee with the shed, which will be given away after the show to raise funds for charity.

Proceeds of the raffle go towards Rural Support’s ‘Life Beyond’ business and emotional support service for family members left behind due to the loss of a loved one from an illness, farm accident, or suicide.

Tickets to enter the draw, priced at £10, will be on sale throughout the four days of Balmoral, at both ABP stand B5 and Rural Support’s own stand B33a.

Alternatively tickets can be purchased at the ABP/Linden Food Kettyle Irish Foods sites at Newry, Lurgan, Dungannon and Lisnaskea.

Should the winner not have the need for a 21.6m by 15.2m agricultural shed they can pocket an alternative cash prize of £20,000.

Meanwhile, Marks and Spencer, a platinum sponsor of the show, took the opportunity on the opening day to announce that Co Antrim dairy farmer David Irwin is to star in the company’s new Farm to Foodhall campaign.

The advertising campaign fronted by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge will showcase the work of those who provide food to the retail chain, including Mr Irwin whose farm is in Dervock.

Also at yesterday’s show Queen’s University was celebrating an award – receiving the Best Overall Trade Stand, while its School of Nursing and Midwifery picking up the Best Overall Stand.

The Queen’s stand includes representation from a number of schools across the university, showcasing the breadth of research areas and schools from food security to robotics.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery stand includes mannequins, encouraging children and young people at the Balmoral Show to learn how to perform CPR.

This stand also includes QR codes, whereby attendees are invited to scan to participate in interactive learning games. One newly launched game, created by Dr Gary Mitchell, aims to challenge some preconceptions about the nursing profession with the aim of encouraging more young people to consider this career pathway.

Finally, the Northern Ireland schools ‘Build a Plane’ project is showing how far it has got during the show.

On display will be part of the wings and the fuselage of the aircraft, which have been built by pupils from Royal Belfast Academic Institution, St Mary’s High School Limavady and Limavady High School.

The wings are being built by pupils from Limavady in the newly opened shared education campus while the fuselage is being built at the Ulster Aviation Societies’ facilities at Maze/Long Kesh by pupils from RBAI.