Listooder & District Ploughing Society Holds Successful 134th Annual Match
Listooder & District Ploughing Society, one of the oldest ploughing societies in Ireland, proudly hosted its 134th Annual Ploughing Match on Saturday 10th October at Saintfield Road, Lisburn.
The Society welcomed competitors, officials and spectators from across Northern Ireland to compete in both tractor and horse ploughing classes, continuing a proud tradition of promoting and preserving the skill and art of ploughing. The event was supported by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, local sponsors and volunteers, with proceeds from the day supporting the Society’s Challenge MND fundraising efforts.
Chairman’s Remarks
Society Chairman Mr Martin Gill said: “On behalf of Listooder & District Ploughing Society, I would like to sincerely thank Mr James Baird for once again providing such an excellent site for our annual match.
“This is the second time in three years that we have had the privilege of using this superb location and the Society very much appreciates Mr Baird’s support.
“We were delighted to welcome competitors who travelled from near and far. The field was full with classes for both horse and tractor ploughing, which was wonderful to see.
“The standard of ploughing throughout the day was exceptionally high and provided our judges with some very difficult decisions.
“Thank you to our judges for the professional way they carried out their duties. We are also extremely grateful to all our local businesses who have got behind us once again and supported our club.
“Special thanks go to Libby, Kathleen and Ashleigh for providing excellent catering throughout the day and to our committee who worked tirelessly at very short notice to ensure the event was such a success.
Finally, thank you to Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for its support and to everyone who attended and helped make the 134th Annual Match such a memorable occasion.”
The Society also celebrated another successful year for its competitors.
Andrew Gill recently achieved an outstanding 4th place at the World Ploughing Contest in Croatia and successfully retained his Northern Ireland title the previous weekend, while William Gill continued his run of success in the vintage classes.
Results.
World Style 12″ Class: Sponsored by Slurryquip
- Andrew Gill (Listooder PS)
- David Gill (Annahilt)
- Allen McAnally (Ballyboley PS)
- James Coulter (Hillsborough PS)
Best Crown: David Gill
Best Finish: Andrew Gill
Classic Class: Sponsored by Quoile Fuels, Crossgar
- Nigel Gamble (Ballynure)
- Dai Kennedy (Listooder PS)
- William McCracken (Mullahead PS)
- Ben Jamison (Listooder PS)
Best Crown: Nigel Gamble
Best Finish: Dai Kennedy
Vintage Senior Class: Sponsored by Norman McBriar & Son
Willam Gill receives his trophy from host Mr James Baird for winning the Vintgage Senior Class at Listooder Ploughing match. William was Reserve Vintage Champion
- William Gill (Listooder PS)
- David Grattan (Banbridge)
- Seamus Crossan (Banbridge)
- Jack Moore (Ards Peninsula)
Best Crown: William Gill
Best Finish : David Grattan & Jack Moore
Vintage Intermediate Class: Sponsored by Jonny Gill Landscape
- Harry Simms (Kilroot)
- Graham McKee (Kilkeel)
- David Poots (Hillsborough)
- Robert McKee (Kilkeel)
Best Crown: Harry Simms
Best Finish : Harry Simms
Horse Class: Sponsored by Ask It Ballynahinch
- John Weir (Ballyclare)
Style & Appearance Winner: John Weir (Ballyclare
Special Prizes
- Youngest Competitor – Harry Simms
- Best Work Done with Ransomes Plough – Harry Simms
- Best Work by Hydraulic Plough – Harry Simms
- Reserve Vintage Champion – William Gill
- Vintage Champion – Harry Simms
- Best Work by Society Member – Andrew Gill
- County Down Champion – Andrew Gill
- Reserve Champion – David Gill
- Champion of the Field – Andrew Gill
Listooder & District Ploughing Society would like to thank all competitors, officials, judges, sponsors, volunteers and spectators for their support and looks forward to welcoming everyone back again next year as the Society continues its proud tradition of promoting excellence in ploughing and preserving one of agriculture’s oldest skills.
