Croots Farm Shop celebrates Shire horse success at world’s most famous horse show

David Yates with Evie

The team at Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire is celebrating after a Shire horse which grazes at the farm took one of the top slots at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.

Evie was awarded reserve champion in the Shire Horse of the Year Championship at the event, which is the world’s most famous horse show 

Full name Sheepwash Derbyshire Eventide, she was one of two Shire horses from Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, which qualified for the championship.

It was the first time since the 1970s that Shire horse breeders Jim and Sue Yates had qualified two of their horses at the event, and it proved to be a special day for the whole family when Evie came second in her championship.

Jim and Sue’s daughter Kay Croot, who runs Croots Farm Shop with husband Steve, helped prepare and plait Evie, while their son David Yates, who runs Derbyshire bakery Luke Evans, led Evie in the ring.

“It was the first time since the 1970s that my parents had qualified two horses for the Horse of the Year Show, so it was a great achievement and wonderful to be a part of what is regarded as the most famous horse show in the world,” said Kay. “David took Evie into the ring and I took the other horse that qualified, Cowerslane Lady Helen. It was a real family affair.”

Jim and Sue have been breeding and rearing Shire horses for decades, and are amongst the longest established families in the Shire horse world. 

It was Evie’s sixth consecutive appearance at the Shire Horse of the Year Championship and she has now taken second place twice, as well as a third and a fourth position.

The Horse of the Year Show was held at Birmingham’s NEC, and marks the end of the equestrian season, being the champion of champions show.

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Shire Horse Open Day held at Croots Farm Shop

Gentle giants of the horse world will be shown in all their glory at a Shire horse open day in Derbyshire next month.

The Derbyshire Shire Horse Association Show will be held at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, near Duffield – the home of Croots Farm Shop.

As well as offering the public the chance to see magnificent Shire horses in action, the event is a rescheduled qualifier for the Shire Horse of the Year Championship at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show, which takes place in October, and is likely to attract some of the top Shire horses in the country.  The original qualifier for HOYS was postponed following the cancellation of the Derbyshire County Show last month due to the weather and ground conditions.

Running from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 7^th August, the show will feature Shire horse displays, different classes, dray rides, pony rides, trade stands and a BBQ. Admission costs £3 for adults and £2 for children.

It is being held at the farm belonging to Jim and Sue Yates, who have already qualified two of their Shire horses for the Horse of the Year Show after winning prizes at the Lincolnshire County Show and the Royal Norfolk Show.

The couple have been breeding and rearing Shire horses for decades, and are amongst the longest established families in the Shire horse world. Their son David Yates shows the horses, with daughter Kay Croot involved in preparing them for showing.

Kay, who runs Croots Farm Shop with her husband Steve, said: “The Shire horses at Farnah House Farm are very popular – people love to see them and we know that many of Croots’ customers are big fans.

“The Derbyshire Shire Horse Association Show is the ideal opportunity to watch around 30 horses dressed up in all their finery being put through their paces.”

This is the third time that the Derbyshire Shire Horse Association Show has been held at Farnah House Farm.

For more information visit http://www.croots.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk