ALTHOUGH a lower turnout of cattle for this year’s show compared to last year, a number of rosettes were picked up by winning exhibitors from the Post area.

Arthur Walters from North Hill said he came to the show this year ‘with no expectations’ — and picked up prizes for the champion and reserve champion Ayrshire, and the champion and reserve champion rosettes in the any other pure breed dairy cattle section.

The Coombe family from North Petherwin, who were at the show with four of their Coombe Ayrshires, and who picked up the breed champion prize last year, this year won two first-place prizes, two seconds and three thirds.

Sharon Coombe said: “It’s a fantastic atmosphere at Royal Cornwall as it is every year.

“It’s just a really lovely first show of the season. There’s months and months of work. It’s tiring but just lovely to be part of it.”

From Wadebridge to Canada, Abi Marshall, 14, from Bridestowe, is gearing up to show at the Royal Winter Fair, Toronto, in November.

Abi, whose Autumn Gold Guernseys picked up a first prize and two second prizes at Royal Cornwall, as well as a reserve champion prize at the recent Devon County Show, took part in a competition in March called ‘National Young Show Stars’ alongside Becky Walters, from North Hill and Emily Davis, from Tiverton, where they won the dairy section.

The trio head off to Toronto in November and as well as showing at the Royal Winter Fair, will also take in Niagra Falls as part of their trip.

Show officials said 502 stalls were booked in the cattle section, a little lower than last year, but show secretary Chris Riddle said: “Numbers were particularly high in 2015 as a result of hosting the prestigious Burke trophies in both the beef and dairy sections and the National show of the Devon cattle.“

Some regular cattle exhibitors were unable to participate due to restrictions around Bovine TB.

Fifty British Simmental were entered, up from 38 last year, and there were an additional six Herefords.

In the dairy section, the number of Holsteins competing rose by 21.

Guy Ley of Sutcombe, who was at the show with son Stuart and their Hoops Holsteins, said: “There are a few more Holsteins, which makes it more fun!”

The Ley family picked up a range of first and second prizes, the perpetual challenge trophy for the best two females and the Bibby trophy for the most points in the Holstein classes.