Thrilling start to the Devon County Show

Thundering-hooved Shetland ponies, motorcycle acrobatics and the giant Devon Eye swung the county’s largest annual event into thrilling action.

Crowds turned out in their thousands to savour the best of the South West’s food and farming on the first day of the Devon County Show.

EU Commissioner Phil Hogan and Environment Secretary Liz Truss, along with NFU president Meurig Raymond and CLA president Ross Murray, met farmers at the curtain-raiser for the South West agricultural show season.

The crowds on the first of the three spectacular days were treated to a mouth-watering array of food and drink, the region’s most impressive livestock and more than 600 trade stands.

A full day's programme of events in the main ring included school-aged young jockeys in the Shetland Pony Grand National and performances from daredevil motocross display team Bolddog Lings.

Devon Young Farmers and Bicton College played a hard-fought game of rugby.

Other popular attractions include the Children’s Farm, the Crafts and Gardens feature, Bees and Honey, and the Country Life and Woodland Area featuring falconry displays and gun dog demonstrations.

Highlights for Friday include the Livestock Parade, cookery demonstrations from The Jack in the Green and The Five Bells and the Dog Show’s Gundogs and Terriers classes.

The Devon County Show continues on Friday (May 20) and Saturday (May 21) at Westpoint, Exeter. Tickets are available to purchase online and on the gate. www.devoncountyshow.co.uk