USK Show welcomed 25,000 visitors who flocked to the showground on Saturday 13th September to enjoy entertainment, socialising and shopping, with something to interest everyone. As one of the last shows in the season, Usk is proud of its agricultural tradition and this year attracted several new livestock exhibitors from its members. The introduction of a showing ring for the pigs, plus a dedicated Kunekune breed section proved very popular among visitors. The horse section had excellent pre-show entries with record numbers in their dressage section. The new classes for Shetlands and alternative coloured horses received good entries and the 'Enter-on-the-Day' show jumping competitions were well supported with the most popular being the mini jumping classes and the two feet 6 inch unaffiliated class that had over 40 entrants. The companion dog show, raised over £400 for the chairman's nominated charity which this year is St David's Hospice Care. The home craft marquee had to be extended this year to accommodate its growing popularity and filled the space with wonderful displays of floral art, baking, preserves, drinks, arts and crafts as well as the huge junior section for children from pre-school to age 16. The horticultural marquee also enjoyed bumper entries, which was a fitting send off for retiring section secretary, Ceri Goring who has headed the team for the last 20 years. The countryside ring was busy all day with crowds up to eight-deep watching displays from Black Mountains Falconry, Usk Valley Working Gun Dogs, The Ferguson Club, Rowan Working Horses and The Welsh Axemen. A full programme of events in the main ring, included in-hand cobs and side saddle classes. The afternoon saw the Curre and Llangibby Hunt parade of hounds, the Jez Avery Stunt Show with stunt legend Jez wowing the crowds with his four, two and one wheeled antics on bikes and buggies and a marvellous parade of vintage tractors plus two full-sized steam engines. The grand parade of livestock provided the Usk Farmers Club Committee the opportunity to say a special thank you to one of its oldest active volunteers, 94-year-old Mr Gordon Collingbourne. The show closed with its traditional hot air balloon ascent, this year with three balloons, piloted by Neil Edmonds, Hugh Stewart and Peter Richardson. General secretary, Faye Mear and chairman, Nigel Phillips, both expressed their thanks to the committees and volunteers that every year work hard to arrange and organise their event. Faye said: "We are so lucky to have such a great team who support and bring together our show. "Our volunteers make Usk Show special because they all care so passionately about the day. It gives us a wonderful atmosphere and we all enjoy putting on a day that is enjoyed by so many."