Despite ominous weather forecasts and Twitter rumours that the ground was a quagmire Romsey Show was a still a big crowd-puller.

The skies repeatedly changed from blue to grey but showgoers only had to employ their umbrellas and waterproofs once, during a heavy shower at lunchtime. Underfoot the going remained good to firm and there was no repeat of the 2008’s mudbath.

A relieved show secretary Annie Carder said: “It was fantastic that the rain came on Saturday night and not earlier and we had a good turnout.

“I was very pleased with the whole event. There was a lovely atmosphere and people enjoyed themselves.”

She said the new addition of the Alpaca show had proved a popular feature and that the trade stands had reported doing brisk business.

Among the arena highlights of this year’s show were the stunt-riding team Blazing Saddles, whose jockeys included an amazing 10-year-old Sky Woodward. The riders, four girls, and two young men, seemed just as happy hanging upside down from their mounts as keeping their feet in the stirrups. The horses themselves seemed happy to be there, which is no surprise as many were saved from slaughter wagons bound for France.

For more on this story and further pictures see this week's Romsey Advertiser.