FARM DIARY
Goscombe Farm, Gundleton 2012
1st July 2012 – awakened at 4.30am by the
‘moo’ from the cow alarm clock (gift from
mother), stirring the household: Hubby
(Transport Manager), Harriet & her
boyfriend Andy (show team as well as
general dogsbodies). Quick cuppa and
down the yard to feed and check all the
livestock, walk the dogs, before washing all
the show cattle, everyone knowing their
jobs. The vehicles with trailers attached had
already been loaded with grooming
equipment, show clothes, white coats,
buckets, feed, hay, spare wheels etc; the
refreshments arrived at 6am, delivered by
the Catering Manager, hubby’s sister, Sarah
Bennett from Bighton (and for all those who
know her, yes, there was enough food to
feed all the exhibitors!).
By 8am all four animals had been unloaded
at the Alton show ground and secured in
their designated areas, vehicles unloaded
and parked; at which point the junior show
team arrived, Bradley (12) and his sister
Kiera (6) together with their mother Sadie
Bennett, all from Bighton.
Quick cuppa, and the team went into full
swing, again washing any stains off the
cattle especially round their backend, drying
them off and fluffing their coats: they must
look their best for the show ring; luckily our
first class was not until 11am so plenty of
time. Nearly done, so time to make a start on
that wonderful picnic, surprisingly hungry by
now. Did we eat breakfast? Actually, I
cannot remember.
12
Nearly time for the first class so a change
into our shirts, ties and white coats; I led
‘Showboy’ with Harriet leading ‘Harper’ and
Andy was our backup man in the ring.
WOW, what a result ‘Showboy’ and ‘Harper’
both won 1st place in their individual
Crossbreed Classes and then they were
against each other for the Champion class:
‘Harper’ awarded Reserve Champion and
‘Showboy’ not only winning the Champion
Crossbreed but also overall Beef Champion
and was awarded two lovely trophies by the
show president in the Grand Parade, was I
proud or what?
Bradley handled ‘Maria’ in the calf classes
extremely well and as a result won two 2nd
places and one 3rd,, happily counting his
winnings.
Kiera, this being her first show, was
accompanied by Harriet and Andy, just as
well because ‘Tia’ was very naughty jumping
around excitedly like a rodeo calf, Harriet did
well to hold onto her and we all laughed
watching the video afterward recorded by
Phil Bennett (Bighton) our Media Man, Yes,
in this modern world we all have a job title.
Kiera was so happy with her two 5th places
as they were baby pink rosettes, her
favourite colour, really girly. The final class
was the best turned out pair and Kiera being
the only girl in the class stood proudly to
attention holding a now calm and quiet ‘Tia’
with the biggest smile on her face, while the
boys with their crooked ties and hats, white
coats wrongly buttoned and shoe laces
undone did not really stand a chance. Kiera