Main Ring 2011

Lurchers had the reputation of being poachers' dogs and "untrained killers" they have now become recognised as respected members of the field sports fraternity.

Today Lurchers are often used for pest control, mostly on rabbits. They are a purpose-bred crossbreed and are very biddable, making excellent pets and are quite happy to live alongside other animals in the family home provided that they have been properly trained. This has become a very popular event over the years and is great fun to watch. Anyone can enter their Lurcher for the Simulated Coursing, in fact any breed is welcome. Entry is at the Main Ring near the Control Bus from 9.50am.

We also have a Lurcher Show with entries taken on the field £1 per entry, judging commences at 11.00am. Our very popular lurcher racing in front of Frampton Court on our fabulous Lurcher Track commences at approx. 3.00pm. Entries taken on the day, all dogs must be muzzled for racing and subject to ground and weather conditions.

Sponsored By: Derbyshire Lurchers and Longdogs

The parade of classic tractors and traction engines is a firm favourite with our visitors, many of which can remember similar machines in use on farms in our area. Those of you wanting a close-up view can see the static display of the tractors and engines near the Farmers' Market throughout the day. This year as a comparison, we include the latest machinery from T H White Group who have a stand on the showground. There will also be an immaculate vintage fire engine.









Sponsored By: Silvey Brothers Garage

www.jive-pony.co.uk

Jive Pony, one of the UK's premier equestrienne teams, has been delighting audiences with their unique style of horsemanship and vaulting shows since 2005. Rebecca and Ronan formed Jive Pony in 2005 being joined by Rosie and Tinker in 2006. Rebecca and Rosie have enjoyed success nationally and internationally before getting together - Rebecca held the British National Individual Championship vaulting title for seven years until retiring undefeated and Rosie held the British Advanced Team Championship for four years.

With their highly trained horses Ronan and Tinker they perform their energetic routine and breath taking vaulting stunts that will leave you amazed and entertained! Their performance includes gymnastics, Roman riding and high speed equestrian stunts and are not to be missed - a truly wonderful display of horsemanship. They recently delighted audiences at the CLA Game Fair this year.


Sponsored By: and

New for this year is a display from Norman Onens' Kestrelway Gundogs - featuring Labradors, Flatcoat Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels and even a Springador. These dogs are at every experience level from puppies through to Open dogs, showing what each breed's job of work is in the field.

Norman has been working dogs for over 30 years recently retiring from the post of Head Keeper (Shoot) at Ragley Hall. He is aided and abetted by his lovely wife Sandra who has been picking up for more than 20 years. They run training sessions for the complete beginner to the more experienced handlers and all types of working dog for the field, working tests and Field Trials at their training ground near Evesham.

Norman is highly entertaining and this will be worth watching. Not only a great opportunity to see these dogs in action but it may also prove that even the best dogs can decide to have "one of those days"!




Sponsored By: and

Yet again the relay will run at Frampton Country Fair. As one of the most exciting Main Ring events, the relay has become a very firm favourite, pulling crowds 5-6 deep all round the arena. We are also delighted that the Flying Foxes, a side-saddle team will be competing this year.

As usual, teams of horses and foot-folk from across the West Country and South Wales compete against each other and against the clock, in order to gain one of the four places in the finals. High speed galloping and jumping horses, so it really does make for heart thumping moments -especially for the organisers!! The spiced up event last year had a very closely fought final with two horses taking the final fence together!

Once again a trophy will be awarded to the winning team. The excitement is electric during the relay, so come and see it run and run and run....


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Despite the Government's ban on Hunting with Hounds, hunts throughout the country continue to keep within the law and meet regularly during the season to exercise their hounds and horses. We are very pleased to welcome the following packs:

Berkeley Foxhounds
Chilmark & Clifton Foot Beagles
Cotswold Vale Foxhounds
Devon & Somerset Staghounds
Leadon Vale Basset Hounds
The Deerhound Club
The Tedworth Hounds
Three Counties Minkhounds
Wick & District Beagles

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Sponsors: Shawbury Vintners, Warres Port with the assistance of the Larkhill Saddle Club, Druids Lodge Polo and Javelin Transport

In medieval times, mounted knights used both lance and sword in battle. They would have exercised their skill with these weapons in preparation for war or jousting. After the Peninsular War, the Duke of Wellington statted converting some of his light dragoons into Lancer regiments. By the mid Victorian times cavalrymen of the British regiments stationed in India, including the land on the North West Frontier later to become Pakistan, indulged in the sport of pig-sticking with the spear. Back in camp, tent pegs would be driven into the ground for Skill at Arms practice for Tournaments.

The mounted troops also used lance and sword in surprise moonlit or dawn raids on enemy camps galloping amongst the tents, severing guy ropes with swords and drawing tent pegs from the ground with lances. This would collapse the tents and create confusion amongst the enemy.

The skillful art of Tent Pegging will be demonstrated by teams from the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, the Countess of Mountbatten's Own Frontiersmen, the Royal Logistic Corps and the 17th Lancers Display Team. We are also delighted to welcome back representatives from Pakistan, with their spectacular flowing costumes and their zest for this traditional sport which is so important to their cultural past.


Sponsored By: Warres Port and Shawbury Vintners

Parachutists from UK Skydiving are helping to raise money for the Royal British Legion. Last year over £2000 was given by our visitors buying beer mats with the Royal British Legion's logo on them for £1.00 each. All you have to do is put your details on the back of the mat which will be placed into a bucket in the Main Ring just before the parachutists jump. After landing each man will pick a mat from the bucket and that person will win a prize! ALL the proceeds from the sale of the beer mats will be given to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Since the end of the Second World War there has only been one year when a British soldier has not been lost in action. The Legion continues their excellent work to support all veterans, old and new, and their families.


Trip in a hot air balloon - Ballooning in the Cotswolds (stand on the Showground)
Tandem Parachute Jump - UK SkyDiving (stand on the Showground)
Minox DC9011 WP Digital Camera - Clifton Cameras (stand on the Showground)
£60 Vouchers - Countryman Sports (stand on the Showground)
A days fishing on the River Severn with lunch for 2 - Wild Goose Lodge (stand on the Showground)
Photographic Pet Portrait - Woodmist Photography Sharon Rogers
6 x 5 Treasure Trails Around Gloucestershire - Treasure Trails Gloucestershire (stand in the Craft Tent)
Free Child Tickets to Dr Jenner's House
Family ticket with tour of Berkeley Castle
Family ticket for 6 to Cattle Country

Sponsored By: and

We are delighted that The Corps of Drums of Gloucestershire Army Cadet Force led by Drum Major Andy Casey, formerly of the Gloucestershire Regiment,are playing for us today in the Main Ring at the end of the Poppy Jump. The Cadets in the Corps of Drums are all aged between 13 and 18 and parade at their newly refurbished centre on Eastern Avenue in Gloucester. They take part in a number of Remembrance, civic, charity and public events throughout the county and have even been invited to perform as far afield as France and Malta. The cap badge they wear is that of The Rifles and they also proudly wear the famous 'back badge' of the 'Glorious Glosters'. Their drums bear the many Battle Honours from the Gloucestershire Regiment. The Corps of Drums have an excellent reputation and would be pleased to hear from teenagers who would be interested in joining them. For further information call 01242 700063 or visit www.glosacf.org.uk

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This event made a popular return last year with Frampton Barbarians (picture) winning the contest. They return this year to defend their title. Frampton Fitness wowed the crowds with their alternative sartorial style - this year they have been re-invented as the Victorian Vanquishers. The other teams competing in this age-old feat of strength, stamina, endurance and determination are Berkeley Drag and Collett Cavaliers.

Barry Grey and Tony Cooper have agreed to officiate again this year to help our teams keep to the rules!

This event kindly sponsored by Cadogan Cider and Perry who are providing the prizes. Each competing team is awarded a prize.

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Once again Ben has brought his specially trained hybrid falcon to fly up to 800ft where it will retrieve a lure from a purpose built balloon/kite - he is one of only a handful of people in the world who has been able to do this. Last year this proved to be a really eye catching event. WEATHER PERMITTING, Ben will demonstrate this beautiful bird's ability in a very rare opportunity to see such an incredible feat of flying. Ben has been flying raptors since the early 1970s, when he acquired a Kestrel as his first pupil. He has been professionally involved in the sport for more than 25 years, and has taught many people the art of falconry, as well as giving demonstrations and making equipment etc. Ben has a stand in our Living Working Countryside area with a wonderful collection of birds of prey on show.

Ben will also be demonstrating his birds in the Countryside Ring at 10.00am.



Sponsored By:

www.cotswoldcarthorse.org.uk

The Cotswold Cart Horse Society has been attending Frampton Country Fair for many years and is considered by many to be one of the highlights of the day. Prize-winners from the CCHS's Annual Show are displayed in the Main Ring and the Jim Wiggett Cup for the best entry from a CCHS member will be presented during the parade, last year's winner is pictured. Do go over to the Heavy Horse Ring in the north end of the Showground to see the entrants in all their finery throughout the day.

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A hugely popular event to round off an action-packed day in the Main Ring. A series of heats leads to the Grand Final. This is highly entertaining as often the Terriers are distracted by each other and the Hare becomes secondary frequently leading to chaos!



Sponsored By: ACP Fuels (Gloucester) Ltd