It’s been another fantastic year at the Royal Welsh Show, and this year has been even bigger and better than ever before, as the show celebrated its 100th anniversary.
As well as the usual competitions and stalls there was also a visit from the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, and even a wedding on the showground! For me it was a particularly busy show this year as I recorded several pieces for Radio 4’s Farming Today programme, and I chaired a seminar for the Farmers’ Union of Wales on rewilding.
However, while this week has been jam-packed, I did manage to find an hour on Tuesday afternoon to reminisce about my favourite ever Royal Welsh Show. That show took place around 25 years ago, when I qualified with my gymkhana team to compete at the show in the mounted games. Every day that week we entered the main ring representing Pentyrch Pony Club in games like the mug race, bending and stepping-stones, and while we weren’t placed in the top three teams overall, we did win a rosette (very important when you’re a teenager!) and we had an amazing time making memories I’ll cherish for life.
And they are memories that my old team-mate Helena remembers too. Helena now lives in new Zealand, but this week she was back in Builth Wells for the 100th Royal Welsh Show, showing her daughter where she competed as a teenager. It was so great catching up with Helena and reliving our time in the mounted games all those years ago.
So from Helena and me, thank you to the show for the memories, and here’s to the next 100 years!
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