After two-and-a-half inches of rainfall during set-up week, the skies cleared for a sunny 178th Hadleigh Show – enjoyed by a record number of visitors.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Molly Webster with her puppy, Evie. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Molly Webster with her puppy, Evie. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

The event, unspoiled by the odd afternoon shower, was attended by more than 12,000 people, in Holbecks Park, on Saturday.

Among highlights in the main ring were the Devil’s Horsemen Cossack Trick Riders, whose horses and stunts have been featured in film and television, and whose show debut was hailed a huge success by organisers.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

A little less breakneck, but equally popular with show-goers, was a demonstration of machinery, showing how onions are grown locally.

Meanwhile, ringside entertainment included the sheep show, young farmers’ tug-of-war, dog agility displays by the Tendring Agility Group, and a mini mountain bike course operated by British Cycling.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Horticultural tent displays. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Horticultural tent displays. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

Show secretary, Catherine Leney thanked the local community for working hard throughout the year to make it a success. She also praised traders for doing their bit to protect the showground from any adverse effect of the preceding week’s rain.

“Everyone who arrived on Thursday helped a great deal by not driving on the site,” added Mrs Leney.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Winner of the white garden display, Jo Gerry. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Winner of the white garden display, Jo Gerry. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

“It meant we had a great day, with a crowd in excess of 12,000 and record levels of livestock. It was great to see such a crowd.

“We’re grateful to everyone who supports us.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

The event also marked the launch of the Hadleigh Festival of Gardening and Art, which continues throughout the summer, until the middle of September.

The first Hadleigh Show was in 1840 and has since been held another 177 times – only stopping for war, and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001. It traditionally takes place on the third Saturday in May. This year’s event, helmed by show director Patrick Goudkuil, fell the weekend between the South Suffolk Show and the Suffolk Show.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Laura Mulls and Izzi Rainey with Donella. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Laura Mulls and Izzi Rainey with Donella. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

All but one livestock award went to competitors from Suffolk or Norfolk. They included Darren Knox, who took the Champion Continental prize home to Nayland – just a few miles down the road. Meanwhile, Best Suffolk sheep went to R Partridge & Son Ltd, of nearby Kersey, and Thwaite shepherd Benn Lugsden took three prizes back to his home, near Eye.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Poppy Bennett, winner of 'junior handler', with Tanzy. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Poppy Bennett, winner of 'junior handler', with Tanzy. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. John Latham with Teasle, the seven-year-old Suffolk Punch. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. John Latham with Teasle, the seven-year-old Suffolk Punch. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Edward Mulchone, seven. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Edward Mulchone, seven. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Frank Kinge with 11-week-old Suffolk Punch, Ta Valley Hope Glory. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Frank Kinge with 11-week-old Suffolk Punch, Ta Valley Hope Glory. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Cattle take to the ring at the showground. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Cattle take to the ring at the showground. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

Hadleigh Show 2017 cattle exhibitor results:

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Rebecca, Sebastian and Lydia Green with Brian. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Rebecca, Sebastian and Lydia Green with Brian. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

•Champion Hereford, Shadwell Estate, Thetford.

•Champion Continental, Darren Knox, Nayland.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Shire Horses take to the main ring. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Shire Horses take to the main ring. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

•Champion Aberdeen Angus, Mr and Mrs Denning, Tuddenham St Mary.

•Champion Other Native, James Loveday, Horsford, Norfolk.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Ellie Fudge with her Suffolk Sheep. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Ellie Fudge with her Suffolk Sheep. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

•Supreme Champion, Shadwell Estate, Thetford.

•Best collection of Cattle, Shadwell Estate, Thetford.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Tom Blunt, sheep shearing. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Tom Blunt, sheep shearing. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

Hadleigh Show 2017 cattle exhibitor results:

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Daniel Starkings with Teguin the Toggenburg Goat. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Daniel Starkings with Teguin the Toggenburg Goat. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

•Best Suffolk , R Partridge & Son Ltd, Kersey.

•Best Southdown, Mrs G Sprake, Halesworth.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Shelton Winfield with a calf. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Shelton Winfield with a calf. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

•Best Other Down Breed, Benn Lugsden, Thwaite.

•Best Other Native, Nick Whitehead, Stowmarket.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

•Best Continental, Neil Pamplin, Northamptonshire.

•Supreme Champion Sheep, Benn Lugsden, Thwaite.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

•Best Collection of Sheep, Benn Lugsden, Thwaite.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Adam Luke on the bike obstacle course. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Adam Luke on the bike obstacle course. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Janette Osman with Fairfield Crisps. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Janette Osman with Fairfield Crisps. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Paul Field, product winner with English Spirit Distillery. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Paul Field, product winner with English Spirit Distillery. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. George Thomas with Lisa's Fudge. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. George Thomas with Lisa's Fudge. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Ellie and Hannah Knox grooming their British Charolais. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Ellie and Hannah Knox grooming their British Charolais. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHESHadleigh Show at Holbecks Park. Picture: SEANA HUGHES