UNSETTLED conditions during the week caused some anxiety among organisers of the 57th annual Barley Saturday Stallion Show and Parade in Cardigan.

But as the situation has been for several years, the weather was set fine for the unique event which has been dubbed the ‘Sunshine Show.”

With everything running like clockwork many hundreds of visitors and locals lined the streets for the parade of prime horseflesh on the hoof and a large and wide variety of vintage vehicles and machinery.

Historians believe Barley Saturday originated in the mid or early 19th century, serving as a half-yearly hiring fair of farm servants and celebrating the end of the sowing season, barley being the last cereal sown.

Like many events, Barley Saturday was disbanded at the start of the Second World War and it was not until 1961 that a group of locals resurrected the show, which was held on the playing field at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi for the fourth time.

A disappointment was that only 35 stallions were on show – 20 down on last year – and organisers believe this was due to unfavourable weather for owners to get their horses in show condition.

The vintage section featured around a hundred tractors and also lorries, motorbikes, cars and machinery which followed the stallions in the parade through the streets.

Show president was TV personality Dai Jones Llanilar who assisted in presenting trophies outside the Guildhall and said events like Barley Saturday played a big part in keeping alive countryside traditions. He also said he’d enjoyed the day immensely.

The supreme show champion was superbly turned out eight-year-old Welsh Cobb Section D bay Murrayhall Cadfael Arbennig, owned by Barry and Helen Hall of New Farm, Capel Gwnda, Rhydlewis and shown by Carwyn James who lives near the couple.

Barley Saturday secretary Tudor Harries told the Tivy-Side “We were again blessed with good weather and visitors came from all over Wales.

“The number of stallions was down, but other than that it was a hugely successful day and I’m sure everyone enjoyed the event.”

RESULTS

Welsh Mountain Pony Section A: India Latter, Pentrecwrt, Llandysul; Welsh Pony Section B: Nicki Bond, Coedybryn; Welsh Pony Cob type Section C 3-yr old: Calvert Williams, New Foundry, Ffosyffin; Section C 4-yrs and over: Grant Davies, Newcastle Emlyn; Welsh Cob Section D 2 and 3-yir olds: Eifion Davies, Pengelly Fach, Newcastle Emlyn; Welsh Cob Section D 4-yrs and over: Barry and Helen Hall (supreme champion); Sports Horse: Aled George, Penparc; Palomino: Stan and Heather Strelley, Kidwelly; Heavy Horse: Dyfed Shire Farm, Eglwyswrw; Shetland: Kim Hawker, Laugharne; Donkey: Wnffa George, Penparc; Coloured Stallion (traditional): Megan Williams, Borth; Coloured Stallion (non-traditional): Hannah Havard, Dinas Cross; Any other breed other than listed: Clowie Bond, Coedybryn; Any other breed over 13.2h: Marca Kucharczye, Swansea; Private driving class (4-yrs and over): Jenny Todd, Carmarthen; Best-tradesman’s turnout: Eirwyn George Llainfawr, Bwlchygroes; Best-dressed heavy horse driven in show harness: John Fletcher, Moylegrove; Private exercise vehicle: Lester Dagge and Lyn Porter, Gelliwen, Carmarthen.