09
Aug
Ripley Show to be held tomorrow
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The Ripley Show will go ahead for at least another year, one of the organisers has revealed.
A question mark has been hanging over the event ever since the Ingilby family put the Ripley estate up for sale in June 2024.
For more than 175 years the show has taken place within the castle grounds by permission of the Ingilbys, but since a buyer for the estate has not yet been announced, its ownership – and hence the future of the show – has been uncertain.
Last year’s show went ahead as planned, and preparations are in full swing for this year’s show on Sunday (August 10), but beyond that the future looked unclear, until now.
Show secretary Tammy Smith told the Stray Ferret:
We know now that we are going ahead next year – it's booked for August 9, 2026. It’s very good news and gives us some comfort for next year, as planning for the next show always starts as soon as we’ve finished the last one.
This weekend’s show is scheduled to start at 8.30am on Sunday and the weather is set fair, with sunshine and no rain forecast.
Ms Smith said:
Preparations are going really well. We’ve had lots of volunteer helpers on the show field, who have been making life a lot easier for us.
Entries to most classes are fairly normal, except for sheep – we've got more sheep than we’ve ever had. That may be because we’ve introduced a new class for Valais Blacknose sheep.
There are new classes among the horses too, one for rescue horses and a concours d’élégance for riders in fancy dress.
The sheepdog trials will return after a break last year, when the weather was too warm for the sheep to run, and the giant Aldabra tortoises will be making the trip from their home in Lincolnshire. Another new addition will be fly-fishing demonstrations on the lake from Nidderdale Angling Club.
Other attractions will include a display from the BMX Team, vintage tractors, classic cars, ferret racing, dry stone walling, dog agility and terrier racing, as well as musical entertainment from the Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band.
Tickets for the event are available online in advance for £12.95 for adults and £6.45 for children aged 5 to 16; under-5s go free. Family tickets for two adults and up to three children cost £30.95.
Entry on the day costs £16.95 for adults and £7.95 for children aged 5 to 16. Family tickets cost £36.95. Car parking is free.
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