Northern Ireland Ploughing Championships finish off another very successful year culminating in the International Championships near Gilford, Co Armagh.
Congratulations to everyone who competed in this year’s championships – Held over two days this year’s match was held on grounds near Gilford kindly granted by Richard Gilpin, Albert Kinnear, Jonathan Richardson, Brian Lilliburn and Gilfresh Produce.
Andrew Gill was crowned champion in the Conventional ploughing class and David Wright was champion in the Reversible Class. Andrew and David will represent Northern Ireland at the Wold Ploughing Contest this year, which will be held in Croatia. Adrian Jamison and Jack Wright came second in their respective classes meaning they will represent NI at the European contest held in Switzerland this year. Seamus Crossan and Nigel Gamble were both first in the Vintage and Classic Class.
As well as the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association championships the event also hosted the Northern Ireland Vintage Ploughing Association Championships and the Five Nations Championships which saw ploughmen from England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland compete for the title of Five Nations Champions titles.
A fine standard of ploughing was displayed as well as horse ploughing on the Saturday with Daniel McAllister coming first, Victor Scott, second and ROI Coleman Coogan, third.
A reception was held in The Palace Demesne in Armagh on the Saturday evening hosted by Alderman Moutray and saw a large attendance of ploughmen, friends and family.
As well as the reception and prize distribution, a special Certificate of Recognition was presented to former Chairman of the World Ploughing Association, William Hood, NIPA, by Anna Marie McHugh, General Secretary of the World Ploughing Organisation. The Chairman also thanked his committee members for their hard-work in successfully organising another successful event.
David Wright (Reversible Champion), Alderman Stephen Moutray and Andrew Gill (Conventional Champion)
