There will be over 280 categories of prizes at this year’s Ossory Show, which will take place in Coolfin, Kilbreedy, Rathdowney, Co. Laois, on Sunday, July 23.
Competition categories include: cattle; sheep; horses; ponies; poultry; crafts; eggs; baking; vegetables; flowers; and photography. There will also be junior classes and a dog show.
The cattle categories include: the Meadow Meats €2,000 Super Beef Championship; the Glanbia €1,000 Friesian Calf Championship; the AIB Pedigree Interbreed Calf Class; the Ashbourne Meats All-Ireland Senior Breeding Heifer; the Ossory Show All-Ireland Crossbred Male or Female Calf, born 2017; and the FBD €1,200 Ossory Crossbred Belgian Blue Championship.
The sheep categories include: Suffolk; Texel; Beltex; and commercial sheep.
In the horses’ section there will be categories for: mare and foals; stallion nominations; young sport horses – colt, gelding or filly; and ridden classes. Prizes will also be awarded for the Timmy Sullivan Memorial Champion Irish Draught Brood Mare and the Best Foal of Show.
There will be further competitions for: junior ridden class; ladies side saddle; working hunter ponies; ridden hunter; equitation class; breeding and young stock ponies; Welsh pony to be led; miniature horses; and donkeys.
Competitors will also come out for the Ossory Show Working Hunter Championship.
Entries to the show, which was founded in 1898, will close on Monday, July 17.
Traditional corn cutting and threshing will take place at the event.
A truck show was introduced last year, and will run alongside a vintage show, said Show Secretary, Catherine Fitzgerald.
The truck show and vintage event proved to be highly successful and, this year, we expect to greatly improve on those attractions.
The show will include: a tug-of-war battle; best dressed contests; a glamorous granny competition; trade stands; arts and crafts; and entertainment.
The festive atmosphere will start with a barbeque and music by ‘Beats Workin’ the previous evening.
Full details are on: www.ossoryshow.com.