Main Ring 2010

www.gonetoblazes.net/NLRC/Index.htm
The National Lurcher and Racing Club were formed in 1980 by a group of Lurcher enthusiasts from the West Midlands. The NL&RC has gone on to be the largest and arguably the most successful Lurcher Club in the world. Formed at a time when Lurchers had the reputation of being poachers' dogs and "untrained killers", the NL&RC takes great pride in the part that they have played in bringing Lurchers to be a recognised and respected member 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. To learn more, please see members of the Club after the Simulated Coursing, at the Lurcher Show Ring or the Lurcher Racing.

Sponsored By: The National Lurcher and Racing Club

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.



Sponsored By:

Once again Ben has brought his specially trained hybrid falcon to fly up to 800ft to 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; this is a very rare opportunity to see such an incredible feat of flying. Ben Long 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.



Sponsored By: Billow Farm Livery

We are delighted that Gus and his team are returning to us this year. He is well known for his appearances on BBC TV's One Man and His Dog and is a highly respected and successful competitor in Sheep Dog Trials in the North West of England and North Wales. He is a sought after judge and commentator at many major events and instructs on the Agricultural Training Board. Teaching the age old craft of schooling Border Collies from puppy hood to the high standards of a fully trained working sheep dog, today his dogs will be working with Indian Runner Ducks and it is a great opportunity for children to come into the ring and have a much closer view of the dogs working.



Sponsored By:

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 with the crowd, pulling consistently crowds 5-6 deep all round the arena. This year should be no different, especially as it is the Jubilee year for the fair we hope to ‘spice' things up a little.
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. The Main Ring is a little constricting when it comes to high speed galloping and jumping horses, so it really does make for heart thumping moments -especially for the organisers!!
This year we will be giving a trophy to the winning team, in commemoration of the jubilee year and hope to make that a perpetual one. Who knows if we will still be running the relay in another 25 years? The excitement is electric during the relay, so come and see it run and run and run....


Sponsored By:

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
Pentyrch Foxhounds
Three Counties Minkhounds
Wick & District Beagles

Sponsored By: Tree Management Tree Surgeons

Sponsors: Shawbury Vintners and 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. In the eighteenth century, during the times of the great Mogul Emperors, the Indian Cavalry used the lance to charge at elephants of the opposing forces, attempting to lance the sensitive feet of these great animals causing them to turn and stampede through their own forces. By the mid nineteenth century, 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 wild 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 skilful art of Tent Pegging will be demonstrated by teams from the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, Countess of Mountbatten's Own Frontiersmen, Royal Logistic Corps and 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

After a long absence this popular event returns to the Main Ring. We have four fantastic teams competing in this age old feat of strength, stamina, endurance and determination.
Barry Grey and Tony Cooper have kindly agreed to officiate to encourage our teams to keep to the rules!

Some parachutists will launch themselves to raise money for the Royal British Legion. Throughout the day you will be able to buy beer mats with the Royal British Legion's logo on them for £1.00 each (or more if you wish). All you have to do is put your details on the back of the mat and it will be placed into the Main Ring just before the Parachutists jump. After landing each man will pick up a mat 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. There is more information about the excellent work they do to support all veterans, old and new, and their families on page …..
The prizes this year are:
A Tandem Parachute Jump - UK Skydiving
Grouse Shooting Simulation for Two (to be used today on the showground) - Marksman Systems
£50 Voucher - Countryman Sports (Stand on the Showground)
Family Ticket to Berkeley Castle
Family Ticket to Cattle Country
Family Ticket to the Jenner Museum
Ladies Pure Wool Country Jacket - Marksman Systems
£20 Voucher for Locally Reared Meat - J Broomhall Butchers
Cuddly Toy Calf - Farmyard Novelties (Stand on the Showground)



Sponsored By: and

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.

Sponsored By:

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!



Sponsored By: ACP Fuels (Gloucester) Ltd