Scariff Show moo-ving with the times

AS September 1 approaches, it is time to get the 68th annual Scariff Show on the road and this year sees some additions as well as the reintroduction of some old-time favourites.
Having been absent for many years, the cows come home to Scariff Show as the cattle section is reintroduced with nine classes in the champion and reserve champion section.
Speaking about the upcoming show, which takes place on September 1, Joanne Allen, secretary of Scariff Show, said this was the year to bring back the cattle section.
“Our cattle section has been reintroduced after an absence of 12 or 15 years. We just felt that there was a need for it. A lot of local people and a lot of breeders have been asking when we would bring it back and we have been threatening to bring it back for the last two or three years but there were various things we needed to clear with the Department of Agriculture in accordance with legislation so we have met those requirements now so that’s how it has come about this year,” she said.
Joanne explained the cattle section had been discontinued more than a decade ago as things began to change. She said at that time, there was more of an emphasis on horses and the show had grown to incorporate showjumping, which was a new area that people wanted to be involved in.
She said the show committee are now delighted to reintroduce the cattle section as there are many locals who breed cows and heifers who are interested in participating and so the committee really pushed for it this year.
Scariff Show has been asked to host the Gain All-Ireland Dog Championship this year. This event was scheduled to take place as part of the Clonaslee Show in County Laois in September. However, this show announced this week that it will not be going ahead.
Joanne understands that in or around 20 shows have been cancelled this year for various reasons including bad weather, however, she stressed Scariff Show has never had to cancel, apart from once during the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
“Due to the cancellation of the Clonaslee Show, we have been asked to hold the Gain All-Ireland Dog Championship event, we of course also have the All-Ireland Filly Championship again this year and that is a brilliant scoop for us each year. There’s two parts to the Gain All-Ireland Dog Championship, there’s a section based on a toy or miniature dog, which is handled by child under the age of 15 and there’s a large dog section of any breed handled by a teenager or adult over the age of 15,” Joanne outlined.
This year’s event includes amateur photography competitions, a junior section with a variety of competitions for those over and under 12 years, an indoor section which includes jams, home baking, arts and crafts, a roots, vegetables and fruit section and flower section.
There are competitions for the champion and best reserve dog of the show, seven classes in the mare and foal ring section, a dog section, a sheep section, a jumping section, Connemara pony and local classes section, a sportsman section as well as show hunter pony classes and working hunter pony classes.
The closing date for entries is Thursday and anyone wishing to enter in any of the categories is asked to email admin@scariffshow.com or telephone 087 3667711. For full details of the categories and classes in the Scariff Show, visit www.scariffshow.com.