Excellence in the field at British National Ploughing Championships, held at Thoresby Estate
Ploughmen and women from across the country have showed off their skills in the heart of Sherwood Forest.
Around 250 competitiors gathered at the Thoresby Estate last month for the 73rd British National Ploughing Championships, held with the kind permission of Thoresby Farming.
Although there was rain on the first day, conditions on the sandy land hardly changed for the ploughers, and sunshine on the second day meant visitors came in droves — and brought smiles from those taking part in tractors without cabs and the horse ploughers.
Sue Frith, chief executive of the Society of Ploughmen, who organised the championships said: “The championships are really well supported from people from throughout the country and our volunteers worked hard to put on a fantastic event this year.
“It was a great site provided by Thoresby Farming and it was a pleasure to be invited to their beautiful estate.”
The supreme champion over the weekend was James Witty from Malton, North Yorkshire who ploughed with a Ford tractor and Kverneland plough.
James, an ex-world and British champion was also crowned the British conventional ploughing champion, just six points ahead of runner-up and the 2023 champion, Ashley Boyles from Lincolnshire.
The British reversible plough-off final was won by Ian Brewer from Wadebridge, Cornwall, with a good lead over the runner-up, Mick Chappell from Doncaster.
James and Ian will now go on to represent England in the 2025 World Ploughing Contest in the Czech Republic.
Mick Chappell and third placed Will Tupper from Pulborough, West Sussex will represent England in the 2025 European Reversible Ploughing Championships — which is to be hosted by the Society of Ploughmen in England, in Retford on March 1 and March 2, 2025.
In the four vintage plough-off finals, the winners qualified to represent England in the 2025 European Vintage Ploughing Championships, again to be held in Nottinghamshire in March 2025.
The vintage trailed plough-off final was won by John Crowder from Sturton-by-Stow, Lincolnshire; the vintage hydraulic plough-off final was won once again by reigning champion Richard Ingram from Atherstone, Warwickshire; Jon Cole from Whitchurch, Herefordshire won the classic title for the second year running; and the classic reversible final was won by Graham Sutton from Nuneaton, Warwickshire.
The other main titles over the competition weekend were the overall horse ploughing champion, won by Martin Kerswell from Fordingbridge, Hampshire and his magnificent Percherons, Pierre and Gringo; the overall young farmers champion which was taken by 22-year old Will Marshall from Doncaster, South Yorkshire; and the high cut ploughing champion, won by Shaun Garrod from Attleborough, Norfolk.
