Shetland ponies in glitter boots, velvety tarantulas, and plenty of cider...it's the Alternative Guide to Devon County Show!

Thousands of animals competing for best in show. Huge, shiny tractors. Incredible floral displays (the show is promising 100 this year!). A premier Crofts-style dog show. Whatever your age, or temperament, there is so much to love about the Devon County Show. In essence, it celebrates the wonderful rural aspects of Devon, and is a great day out to enjoy catching up with friends over a pint of cider and a bap.   

The three-day event held at Exeter’s Westpoint near Clyst St Mary on 16-18 May, as always, shines a light on the incredible farming movers and shakers in rural Devon, but what’s new this year? And what about the more unusual aspects of the event? Welcome to the alternative guide the Devon County Show. 

ALDABRA TORTOISES

These gorgeous gentle giants are back for a second year by popular demand and are more than worth a visit.   Owner Adrian Graham from Lincolnshire’s passion for tortoises started from the tender age of four.

 “At that age I really wanted a dog”, says Adrian, “but it turned out that I was allergic to all animals with hair.  This left very little in the way of alternatives so my dad bought me a tortoise which I named Adrian."  

Adrian, the owner, now has eight Aldabras in his collection. “They are a truly special breed each with their own personality.  They’re friendly, laid back; they love human fuss and attention”.

Adrian’s primary focus is tortoise conservation and he is hoping to be able to do his bit in preserving their future by eventually breeding from his collection. 

SCURRY RACING

This fast and furiously paced equestrian sport sees a pair of ponies pull a carriage around a course of cones in an attempt to achieve the fastest time is another exhilarating feature on this year’s Devon County Show main arena timetable.  Always a crowd favourite, this event which will be performed on each day of Devon County Show, is a nail-biting qualifier for the 2024 Horse of the Year Show in the Autumn. 

BLACK VELVET TARANTULAS

Step inside the jungle garden hosted by Ned Riley, a 20-year-old with a penchant for reptiles, bugs, and creepy-crawlies. Ned will be sharing his knowledge and showing interested parties his garden in the Crafts and Horticulture marquee which’ll be bedecked with palms, bamboos and exhibitor animals donated by Exeter Exotics including a corn snake, a crested gecko, millipedes and a black velvet tarantula. 

A SENSORY GARDEN

Devon in Sight, an Exeter based charity providing support to those living with little or no sight, is creating a special sensory garden.   The planting will focus on specimens with recognisable textures and scent; a water feature will provide the sound of calming, trickling water; a shed will deliver sounds of birds and summer cricket matches. 

Visitors will be able to wear glasses as they navigate the garden that simulate different types of visual impairment - an exercise designed to build empathy and understanding with those with sight loss. They will also have the opportunity to speak with people who are living with sight loss including Guide Dog user and former Mayor of Torbay Mandy Darling, Blind Artist Barry Goodfellow MBE and Andrew Hesser, The Blind Gardener. 

THE MAYOR OF COCKINGTON (IN GLITTER BOOTS)

 The Mayor of Cockington, aka Patrick the miniature Shetland Pony, will be officiating the grand opening of the Crafts & Horticulture Marquee, on Thursday 16th May, the first day of the 3-day event. He will be clad in his bespoke mayoral robes, his custom-made glitter boots, and a gold chain and will munch his way through a ribbon made of carrots at the opening ceremony. 

Patrick was voted in as Mayor by the residents of Cockington in July 2022.  He was bestowed with his official mayoral status, in recognition of his tireless commitment to the community, visiting schools, hospitals and care homes as a therapy pony.

NEW BREEDS

Four new breeds will be appearing for the first time at this year’s show so look out for them in the livestock rings. Red Poll Cattle breed are a docile, low-input breed and are used as suckler cows with an average yield of 5,000 litres at 4.2% butterfat and 3.5% protein. 

Two new native breeds will be introduced to the sheep section: the Kerry Hill breed originates from the hills around the small town of Kerry, on the English/Welsh borders; and The Llanwenog  a versatile breed, which produces excellent meat.

The pig section is delighted to invite entries to a new Kune Kune pig class.  As the smallest domesticated pig, Kune Kune pigs are delightfully placid and friendly in character, thriving on human company.  Their ease of management and ability to live almost entirely from grass, the Kune Kune is now a popular breed for small holders. 

FAMILY DAY

Saturday 18th May is Devon County Show’s big family day out when Kids go Free. Expect a morning and afternoon performance by Jamie Squibb and his freestyle motorcycle stunt team.  Each show lasts 30 minutes, and will be a white-knuckle ride of death-defying tricks and stunts during which the team will soar through the air from take off ramps in front of the crowds and perform extraordinary manoeuvres mid air.  The whole show is choreographed to pulsating music which combined with the revving of the bikes is sure to get your hearts beating and your pulses racing.

MICHAEL CAINES MBE 

As President of the 2024 Devon County Show, you can expect to see Michael Caines MBE around the Showground. The celebrated chef of Lympstone Manor, is a devoted advocate of farming and food in Devon – a passion that will be reflected in all his plans as President for this year’s show. 

The Devon County Show takes place on Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May at  Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1DJ. Tickets are available to purchase in advance at www.devoncountyshow.co.uk