Ballina Show announces its largest prizefund ever!

7/18/2002 -

Ballina Show has been a part of the North Mayo summer calendar for almost 100 years and despite coping with last year's cancellation of the Agricultural Show, because of Foot and Mouth, and the postponement of this year's jumping due to bad weather, it continues to hold it's place as one of the best shows in Co Mayo.
Run by a small but dedicated committee headed by local farmer Mr. Seamus Foody, the organisers of Ballina Show are delighted with the support they have received from the local community - both in terms of sponsorship and assistance.
The show committee has put a great deal of time and energy in maintaining Ballina Show's position as one of the best shows in the region.
This year's show will be run over three days to facilitate the large number of events which have been scheduled and it carries a prizefund of over E26,000.
Friday, the 19th of July, sees the spectacular kick-off of this year's three-day Show with horse jumping commencing at 10 a.m. and being held in two arenas. The Kerrygold Grand Prix League at 2 p.m. is the feature event and is the only leg of this Grand Prix series being held in Mayo this year. The best thirty-five National and International horse and rider combinations will be battling it out to secure the winner's purse. As has become custom a lone piper will lead the competitors in a parade before the competition begins.
The prizefund of E10,000 has been sponsored by Polar Construction Ltd. and ALH Development & Leasing of Dublin and Cork. Other classes include a Boomerang qualifier, Millstreet E. Qualifier, and a 1.30m speed competition with a prizefund of E3000 with sponsorship being generously provided by Brooklands Bedding and Fiachra Barrett Plant Hire.
Saturday, the 20th of July, is pony day! Two arenas will play host to every level of pony competitors - from the Tiny Tots/
Newcomers to the E1,000 148 cms. Grade A Grand Prix. See the show jumping stars of the future in action all day.
Sunday, the 21st of July, is the culmination of three action-packed days and as always we have introduced something new and a bit different for this year's Agricultural Show Day. There will be a wonderful blend of the traditional elements of a time honoured agricultural show and new attractions to appeal to the younger generations. The programme includes showing classes of horses, ponies, cattle, sheep an the ever-popular dog show. The cattle classes include a special display of Pedigree Belgian Blues on show for the first time in Co. Mayo. The classes for ponies include separate showing classes for 128 cms, 138cms and 148 cms.
There will be classes for horticulture, agriculture, flowers, crafts, home-baking, children's art and photography.
The jumping theme is continued on Sunday when Ireland's top Amateur Show jumpers compete in the 'Farmers Journal' National Championship and the Leddy Builders' League.
Do you know what a 'full-pull' is? Have you ever seen 'Paddy's Anchor' in action? Have you ever heard of a 'power explosion'?
Well Ballina Show is the place to be on Sunday the 21st of July! For the first time ever in Co. Mayo, the Irish Tractor Pulling Association will host a number of tractor pulling competitions in which tractors of differing horse powers will pull Paddy's Anchor to see who will be champion puller.
The aim of the competition is to drag a purpose-built sled (Paddy's anchor) along a specially prepared track - it gets progressively harder for the tractor to pull due to a sliding weight carriage - whoever pulls it the furthest wins! Interested in competing? Contact Colm - (086) 8142736. Come and see the world's fastest growing motor sport for yourself.