June 28, 2023

Stafford County Show 2023

Event Venue:
Stafford Showground
Show Organisation:
8 / 10
Stayed on site?
No
Showers and toilets:
6 / 10
Food and drink:
8 / 10

This was my first experience of Stafford County Show, although I have been to the showground at Stafford several times before for other shows, including the Shire Horse Association Championships.

On this occasion I was there to support friends competing in equine classes so my review of the show will be very much based on my experience in that quarter of the showground, although I did get to explore a little!

The equine rings are all close together and ran well on this occasion, with only the workers seemingly running late (and not badly so either). Stewards and Judges were efficient and seemed to know what they were doing and were not too officious. There was a bit of an incident in the smallest of the rings, which held the in-hand classes, when the exhibitors in the Shire Horse classes were inspected by a farrier in the collecting ring to ensure their shoes were legal, and many weren't. Cue lots of pulling off of illegal shoes before entering the ring and angry competitors - though it seems they were cheating and had no legs to stand on.

The Main Ring split at various times to allow for multiple classes to run simultaneously and this seemed to go well.

Toilets were the commonplace green portaloos but they remained clean and well serviced throughout both days.

The Food Hall at Stafford deserves a mention because it is well laid out and makes it very easy to peruse the many different stands quickly. I waited until tea time on the second day before going back to stock up on some steaks from Picks Organic Farm, fudge from another stall and some amazing Ventricina Piccante from a specialist Italian supplier whose name sadly escapes me.

We competed on both days but did not stay on sire, opting instead to stay at the Premier Inn in town. I would include a recommendation for the pub we ate at on Tuesday night, the Dog and Doublet in Sandon. Our group arrived just in time for last food orders and got our orders in immediately. Food was excellent and portions generous. Everything was served quickly despite the late hour and we were able to get on our way by half ten. Will definitely return there another year.

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