Exhibitor / Competitor Classes
Below you will find the full schedule of classes available at this year's show including the associated application forms.
2024 schedules coming soon
Sheep
The Gosforth Agricultural show is very proud of its sheep section - entries in this section have increased year on year with record entries last year after the introduction of the Native classes - Hill & Heath, Down breeds, Longwool breeds and Primitive breeds.
Other breed classes include;
Cross Breed/Mules Swaledale Herdwick Suffolk Jacob Texel Charollais AOB
We are also pleased to announce that we are introducing classes for Zwarble sheep at this year's show - please share this information with Zwarble breeders in the area.
Where possible the society will strive to obtain society judges & rosettes.
New breed classes can be introduced provided there are 4 exhibitors supporting them and this must be done in writing to the secretary.
If anyone would like to sponsor any the sheep classes please contract the secretary at gosfortshow@hotmail.com
Cattle
Cattle will be under cover at the Gosforth Agricultural show
Gosforth Agricutural show is currently TB4
Cattle classes will be held subject to the arrangements being approved by DEFRA and all the exhibitors must make themselves aware of, and comply with the relevant DEFRA regulations in force at the time of the Show.
Young Handler Classes - Sheep & Calves
The Young Handler classes are split the ages into 3 groups - under 7 yrs, 7 to 10 yrs & 11 to 16 yrs. All entrants receive a rosette and a prize.
Entry is free but we do need your entries in by the closing date so we know how many pens we need to erect for your sheep. Please use the entry forms provided.
Horses
Gosforth show hosts a variety of horse classes including a wide selection of showing classes both ridden and in hand. Our range of ridden horse classes has increased over the years and now include an open hunter class as well as riding horse, hack, cob and the increasingly popular coloured horse / pony class. The ridden heavy horse class is open to all heavy horse breeds, including part bred,as long as the heavy horse parent if stated on the entry form.
There are 3 elegant side-saddle classes, both showing and an equitation class which is a qualifier for the side saddle association championships. There is a special side-saddle costume concours d’elegance where the ladies will be wearing historical costume which is judged in the main ring where they can be much admired by show spectators.
The moving of the WORKING HUNTER ring last year was very successful and it will remain in the same position - the ground is much safer being flat and dry.
The showjumping classes are held after the grand parade & aim to start around 3/3.15pm.
ALL HORSE CLASSES CAN BE ENTERED ON THE DAY - COST £10 - ENTRIES TAKEN AT THE SECRETARY'S TENT
Schedules will be available soon, but can be downloaded now by clicking the links below.
Notice regarding Equine Influenza
Horses must have been vaccinated to comply with the requirements of the primary course (1st vaccination and then 2nd vaccination between 21-92 days later), followed by the first booster (150-215 days) and all subsequent boosters. Horses may compete having received the primary course and prior to the first booster but not within 7 days of receiving a vaccine dose.
Horses must have been vaccinated within 6 months before the show but not less than 7 days of arriving at the show.
PLEASE NOTE: THAT NEITHER VACCINE CERTIFICATES OR PASSPORTS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SHOW OFFICE PRIOR TO THE SHOW. HOWEVER, RANDOM CHECKS WILL BE CARRIED OUR ON THE SHOWGROUND DURING THE SHOW.
Dogs
2018 champion pictured - Dappy
The Dog show is a very popular event drawing in both professionals and family pets - whatever category you are in, all dogs are welcome to the Gosforth Agricultural show.
new for 2023
The dog show will have 2 rings and classes will be split into small/medium and large dogs (stewards will determine how the split will take effect).
FUN DOG SHOW
Judging to start at 11am & will be held in 2 x Dog Rings
Sponsored by WEST LAKELAND VETERINARY GROUP
Egremont & Whitehaven
Entry on the Day: Fee £2.00
1st £5 2nd £4 3rd £3
Judges: TBA
Ring 1 small/medium breeds & Ring 2 larger breeds
(At Stewards’ discretion)
Challenge cup for Best in Show donated by the late HS Blair
To be held for 1 year
- ANY VARIETY VETERAN (over 7 years old)
- ANY VARIETY PUPPY (6 – 12 months old)
- JACK RUSSELL TERRIER
- BORDER TERRIER
- LAKELAND/FELL TERRIER
- ANY VARIETY COLLIE
- ANY VARIETY JUNIOR (Not older than 18 months)
- ANY VARIETY GUNDOG
- ANY VARIETY LURCHER/GREYHOUND
- ANY VARIETY HOUND (excluding Lurchers & Greyhounds)
- ANY VARIETY UTILITY OR TOY
- ANY VARIETY TERRIER (excluding working)
- ANY VARIETY WORKING
Novelty Classes
Children’s pets to be judged by the President in the MAIN ARENA approx. 12noon
1st £4, 2nd 3, 3rd £1 Rosettes to sixth place.
- Junior Handling up to16 years old
- Prettiest Bitch
- Most Handsome Dog
- Waggiest Tail
- Best Six Legs
- Fancy Dress
Childrens' Pets
FREE ENTRY ON THE DAY ONLY
Prizes are: 1st £4, 2nd £2, 3rd £1
Rosettes to sixth place Consolation prizes will be given
To be judged by the President
All pets are welcome.
Horticulture
The Horticulture tent provides the perfect opportunity for keen gardeners to display their produce.
Handicrafts and Produce
The ever popular HandicraftS & Produce classes at Gosforth Show. View the full schedule below and get your entries in by August 1st 2023.
Terrier Racing
Terrier Racing in the Main Ring in the Afternoon (Time TBC) - Entries on the day
Vintage and Steam Machinery
Classes & Parade of Cars, Bikes Steam engines,Tractors & farm Machinery give a glimpse of yester years.
Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling
The show’s main aim is to promote and support wrestling in the area in conjunction with the local Academy based at Waberthwaite. The Academy is operational in the winter months and relies on Shows, Sports and galas for its summer competitions. The academy is open to all and goes to the local primary schools to recruit new members.The show has supported the junior side of wrestling by having just junior wrestling (Under 9,11,13,15 & 18 year of age). It is hoped to have weight categories (Under 7, 9 & 11 stone) this can be more competitive as the size of competitors are more even.
Gosforth Agricultural show has been granted a championship for the under 15s in 2023
Entries on the day. Wrestling to start at 2.30 pm
WRESTLING EVENTS
Entry Free on the Day
UNDER 15 CHAMPIONSHIP
1st £70, 2nd £40, 3rd £30, 4th £20
MIXED
UNDER 9 YEARS: 1st £15, 2nd £10 3rd £5
UNDER 11 YEARS: 1st £15, 2nd £10 3rd £5
FEMALE
UNDER 15 YEARS: 1st £15, 2nd £10 3rd £5
LADIES OPEN: 1st £10 2nd £7 3rd £5
MALE
UNDER 15 YEARS: 1st £15, 2nd £10 3rd £5
UNDER 18 YEARS: 1st £15, 2nd £10 3rd £5
7 STONE: 1st £15, 2nd £10 3rd £5
10.5 STONE: 1st £15, 2nd £10 3rd £5
13 STONE: 1st £15, 2nd £10 3rd £5
ALLWEIGHTS: 1st £30, 2nd £20 3rd £10
CHANGES MAY BE MADE ON THE AY DEPENDING ON TURNOUT
Childrens' Sports
These traditional children’s sports take place in the main arena and are a highlight for all the competitors young and not so young. It is a thrill for the children, their parents and grandparents to watch their children excel and also recoup their show entry and more, as every entry is a winner from first to last.
Local History Tent
The local history tent has been a feature of Gosforth Show since the year 2000 and with the exception of 2001, when the show could not go ahead because of the Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic, and has continued ever since.
Within this tent there is a huge display of local photos, some from the recent past but many more going much further back, in fact to the first show in 1876. It is wonderful to listen to the buzz that emanates from inside – with shouts of “that’s my Dad”, “Oh! I remember that day….” Or “where are you in that photo?” Show goers return again and again during the day to show their friends or family photos in the display. The display changes each year so there is always something new to see.
Also in the tent can be found other organisations whose interest is in local or family history and this changes from year to year as different groups come and go. In the past we have had Cumbria and Furness Family History Societies, Haig Mining Museum, The Beacon Museum, The Rum Story, Wasdale, Drigg, Lamplugh and Eskdale Local History Groups and many others.
For information on how to get involved with the History tent please contact Sheila Lawson by email: sheilalawson52@gmail.com
Craft and History Tent
The Rural Craft & Enterprise tent
This new venture last year was a huge success and a new team is organising it this year.
Anyone interested in joining this tent should send an email to gosforthshow@hotmail.com and I will forward it to the organising team. Please mark you emails as Rural Craft & Enterprise.
Poultry
The Gosforth Agricultural show is currently unable to obtain a DEFRA license to hold Poultry classes - we will check with animal health again during July to see if restrictions will be lifted.
Goats
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to Goat classes that the show due to lack of entries - should 3 exhibitors wish to start them up again please contact me at gosforthshow@hotmail.com