History
The first show of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) was held in 1838 with the intention of exhibiting farm animals, machinery etc. The show was judged a success despite the requirement for the police to restore order after people tried to force their way in the show which was held in Fulford on the outskirts of York.
In following years the show was moved around Yorkshire returning only periodically to York, it took on the name Great Yorkshire Show in 1843. This peripatetic existence continued until 1950 when the costs of moving the show around every year became prohibitive. In that year the YAS purchased a permanent site at Harrogate and the first show at the new Great Yorkshire Showground was held in 1951.
The show has only rarely not been held, it was canceled between 1915 and 1919 due to WW1, between 1940 and 1948 due to WW2 and in 2001 due to Foot and Mouth. The show has now become very popular attracting well over 100,000 visitors each year.
Modern Times
The Great Yorkshire Show of recent times is very different from the early shows, with many stalls devoted to food, leisure, clothes, fashion and crafts as well as farm implements, in the main arena the working displays of Shires and Clydesdales always attracts a crowd and I belive this year will be no diffferent.
The show is held every July across 3 days and one of the first events which I do hope will show off the coaching skills of the heavies [and no doubt there will be the lighter horses] in the main ring on Tuesday 3.30 to 5.00. I do hope that the Heavy Horses will steal the day. On Wednesday it starts at 7.30am to 11.00am in the main ring, where you will see the magnificent Clydesdale and Shires who no doubt will be looking their very best. In the past we have also been privileged to see the ladies mounted on hunters [ a cross of the heavy and the lighter horse] And in addition as we now have occassionally the ridden class of the heavies you may be surprised to see the Shire or Clydesdale in this event.
Continuing on in the afternoon you may see some heavies in the coaching event, but the main event in my opinion will be on Thursday from 1.00 pm to 2.40 which is The Heavy Horse Teams, where you will see these gentle giants really showing off there skills, anything from logging competiton to wagon and team work will be on show it will be worth the look.
Last year the attendance at the 150th show was attended by the Queen was oustanding and this year will continue on the tradition. Opening times are 7.30am and 7.30pm except the last day when the show closes at 4.00pm, parking is free and there is lots of transport from York, Leeds and other towns with shuttle buses from Harrogate rail and bus stations.
