2012 Show Features
Bolddog Lings Motorbike Display Team sponsored by SPAR
Non-stop action from start to finish!!
As Honda’s official and the UK’s number one motorcycle display team, the Bold dog Lings team base their show around the world’s largest and most sophisticated mobile landing system.
The show features the UK’s top ranked freestyle motocross riders, incorporating the latest heart stopping tricks as usually only seen on TV. The team set the standard 12 years ago and now continues to push the boundaries of FMX and lead the way for all motorcycle display teams.
The team also provides an informative on board commentary by the riders even talking to the crowd while performing a trick flying 35ft in the air.
Between displays the public are invited to the interactive stand where they can get a closer look at the bikes and meet the riders. A complete package to give value both on and off the machines.
Bolddog Lings Team Manager and one of the UK’s top freestyle riders, Dan Whitby, describes the show as, “It’s more than just freestyle. It’s a non-stop show that will entertain everyone from off–road enthusiasts to the general public. It’s a must see part of any festival and is continually growing in popularity as the awareness of FMX increases.”
In the Zone
London 2012-inspired exhibition goes UK-wide!
How do athletes move so fast and jump so high? What happens inside our bodies when we’re ‘in the zone’? Looking at your own veins and measuring your speed on the running track are just some of the things you can try out at In the Zone, an exciting new pop-up exhibition from the Wellcome Trust’s In the Zone initiative.
Inspired by London 2012 and designed and delivered by At-Bristol Science Centre, the free exhibition will amaze people of all ages with the science of how our bodies work during sport, movement and rest. The exhibition is set to tour the UK this summer, bringing the excitement around the Olympic and Paralympic Games to all four nations.
With five high-tech interactive exhibits, a live and responsive show with audience participation, and the opportunity for visitors to share data, images and video on social media, the exhibition offers an invigorating insight to the science behind our elite athletes.
In the Zone is endorsed by five-time Olympic Gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, who formally launched the initiative in January. He said: “In the Zone is designed to give everyone the chance to see what it’s like to be a top athlete. A good performance is not only about being in peak condition, it’s about how to prepare yourself, the different mental pressures to overcome and understanding how your body works. In the Zone recreates some of these elements in an accessible way so that the whole family can enjoy and be inspired.”
Big Rory & Ochie
The nine foot loveable Scottish rascal is out for a walk with his wayward mongrel. Inevitably there’s total confusion as the amorous mutt careers around, with Rory in hot pursuit, trying to contain the chaos. If you expect a quiet time from this pair, don’t book them!
‘The most professional, hilarious, wonderful act we have ever had. They brought the town to a standstill.... an event organisers dream booking’ Greystones Festival, Eire
‘…Whether at the street Carnival or at the festival they really won such incredible praise. I think it fair to say I might be on the point of falling in love with Ochie, he is adorable…and very naughty’ Stewart Collins, Henley Festival
Cow Parade - The world’s largest public art exhibition
2012 will be the year of the cow in Northern Ireland. The world’s largest public art
exhibition CowParade arrives in May and will feature up to 200 life sized fibre
glass cows transformed into magnificent sculptures by local artists. The cows will
be on display throughout Northern Ireland over the summer, and will form a
spectacular attraction for residents and visitors alike. CowParade has taken place
in more than 70 cities across the globe since it started in 1999. It is estimated
that more than 100 million people around the world have seen the cows and more
than 5,000 artists have participated in CowParade - professional and amateur,
famous and emerging, young and old. In addition, charity partners have
received in excess of £20 million from the auction of cows at the end of the
event. This is the first time the world famous art event has been held across a
large region. Ron Fox of CowParade Holdings in Boston said: “We are thrilled to
be bringing CowParade to Northern Ireland – it is a very special place, full of
creative talent and fun, hospitable people. I’m sure this will be one of the most
successful events ever.” The event will formally open at the Balmoral Show in May
and will take place all summer, culminating in a charity auction of the cows in
October. Full details available on the event website www.cowparadeni.com
Gun Dog Display by Keith Mathews 'The Dog Guru'
Come and see Keith and his dogs on Wednesday at 1.15pm in the Horse Rings and on Thursday at 2.00pm on the Cattle Lawn.
Champion Trainer
Keith Mathews aka 'The Dog Guru' is Irelands most famous dog trainer and behaviourist, star of his own hit dog training television show 'Good Dog Bad Dog'.
Keith has bred and trained Field Trial Champion Labradors and regularly judges and competes in field trials and working tests. He works his gundogs full-time on a variety of different terrains throughout the shooting season.
Keith teaches gundog training classes and is available for gundog lectures, gundog workshops and gundog tuition worldwide.
www.keiththedogguru.com
Riding for the Disabled - Musical Ride sponsored by NI Co-operative
This years Riding for the Disabled Association's display will take the form of a Musical Ride.
It is widely known that music can have an amazing effect on everyone and not least with horses and their riders. RDA Groups often use music in their weekly lessons whether to help nervous riders relax or as a stimulant to ride more actively.
Musical rides have featured at Balmoral in the past with displays from the Household Cavalry, Dressage Ireland and Riding Clubs. Although the RDA riders will not be galloping around the arena, it will be clear to see the benefit and enjoyment gained by everyone involved while riding to music.
So please come along and enjoy watching the RDA's Musical Ride 2012.
The Golf Bunker
Bunker Events Golf Cube is a new and unique outdoor event space housing the latest state of the art golf simulator. Recognised as the worlds most advanced golf simulator with high speed camera detection, 3D, HD graphics and extensive course library. The Bunker is setting new standards for simulator hire and events. The Bunker Events Golf simulator delivers the most accurate and entertaining golf simulation in the world. Ball flight, spin, speed and trajectory are collated via high speed camera’s enabling the most realistic format of the game today. With fantastic 3D, high definition graphics the simulator is guaranteed to draw a crowd and create a buzz at any event. Using real clubs and real balls, golfers and non- golfers a like can enjoy a variety of game formats including:
• Longest Drive Competitions
• Nearest The Pin Competitions
• Stableford and Texas Scramble competitions.
• PGA lessons and Clinic
• Full 18 hole round, including chipping and putting
All displayed in SXGA graphics the Bunker Events Golf simulator has an extensive course library including:
• The Belfry
• Carnoustie
• Doral
• St Andrews
• Pebble Beach
• Celtic Manor
…..and many more world famous courses
Show Jumping
Come and see some of the top international riders from home and abroad who will be competing in 6 International competitions which take place over the 3 days finishing on Friday with the Vodafone Grand Prix. There are also 4 national competitions taking place on Wednesday and Thursday.
Granny Turismo
Over the past 18 months Granny Turismo have been delighting audiences wherever they go and is one of the most talked about acts around. The show has universal appeal and is part walkabout, part circle show and wholly engaging.
When Doris, Mary and Marge arrive on their souped-up shopping trolleys with their pumping tunes, everyone takes notice. N.B. the grannies are loud! Granny Turismo will be appearing twice daily at the Balmoral Show
Falconry
Appearing in the main arena all three days of this year’s Show, the Falconry displays will feature a number of different birds performing amazing tricks with John Carmichael.
The display will include Owls, some of which John has had since they were only five or six days old and they were hand reared so are well used to humans. Coming to the Show this year are mum, dad and children Harris Hawks, some of whom John has had for nineteen years; one Vulture Heather, who is very comical and clever; Kestrels, the second smallest Falcon in Ireland, Hybrid Falcons, a larger breed; and Eagles, large and extremely impressive!
You’ll also find their static display in the Arena Display area where you can get your photo taken with some of the birds at a small cost, with a percentage of this going to charity. You’ll also be able to stroke the birds and find out a bit more about each breed.
The Racing Bug - 'Real Motor Sport in Miniature'
The Racing Bug offers something no one else can – ‘Real Motor Sport in Miniature’. Visitors to the Balmoral Show will be given the unique opportunity to become Racing Drivers and compete in a series of real races with 10 vehicles going head to head on the specially constructed race circuit. The Racing Bug will be at the Show each day.
Stilt Walking Samba Band
The Stilt Walking Samba Band are entertaining, loud and eye catching! They will be performing around the Showgrounds on Wednesday and Friday.
YFCU - Girls' Five-a Side, Machinery Handling & Tug of War Competitions
THE Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) has developed an action-packed timetable of events for this year’s Balmoral Show.
Activities begin on Wednesday morning in the Sale Ring, with the YFCU sheep shearing competition, sponsored by Lister Shearing, which commences at 10.00am.
At 11.00am the final of the Association’s popular floral art competition takes place in the Garden Village. The floral arrangements will then be on display in the Garden Village for visitors to enjoy throughout the remainder of the show.
On Wednesday evening the Cattle Lawn will provide the stage for two of the YFCU most highly contested events, the machinery handling competition and girls’ 5-a-side football. During the machinery handling competition, which takes place at 6.00pm, six county teams will compete in a quest to ‘beat the clock’ over a challenging course designed by the Health and Safety Executive NI. Contestants will once again be using John Deere equipment which is supplied by Johnston Gilpin and Company Limited.
The girls’ football, sponsored by Elanco, will follow at 7pm.
On Thursday evening the highly anticipated tug of war takes place. In association with John Thompson and Sons Limited, this popular competition takes place at 5.30pm on the Cattle Lawn.
The YFCU will once again have a stand in the Nugent Hall which will be staffed by members from the YFCU who will be willing to answer any questions on the Association.
Balmoral Food Village
Within this area you will find McDonalds®, Sainsburys, Tesco and the Good Food Pavilion showcasing the best of Northern Ireland food and drink. Visit the McDonalds interactive stand and learn more about their suppliers and the story of their food from the field right through to the restaurant. Sainbury's Try Team will be demonstrating some fantastic recipes made with locally sourced produce. They will be showcasing some regional suppliers allowing visitors to sample their products.
Children's Farm
Cute, cuddly baby farm animals are what you will find in the Children's Farm, which can be found in Section M. Children are given the opportunity to hold, stroke and even feed the baby animals or have their face painted by the face painters.
Kids Zone
Bouncy castle, bunji trampoline, kids rides, face painters and much more in this and surrounding areas.
Miniature Horse Display
Will take place on Thursday 17 May at 2.30pm in Horse Ring 2.
Rare Breeds Survival Trust
The Rare Breeds Display, located in the Alexander Hall, is where you will find all sorts of rare, endangered and unusual animals.
Friends of Ferguson
Vintage tractors and machinery from times gone by will be on display in Section E of the Showgrounds.
Ravara Pipe Band
Will be peforming in the main arena on Wednesday 16 May at 7.15pm.
Schomberg Fife & Drum
The Schomberg fife and drum evolved from Kilkeel Drumming club and still play traditional Lambeg and fife tunes along with military music from 17th century, 1st and 2nd World Wars and also modern pieces. The uniform we wear are copies of 17th century uniforms worn at the Battle of the Boyne. Our vision is to uphold and enhance the traditional music of fife, snare drum and Lambeg and ensure the traditions are kept alive for many years to come. During the year we participate in the annual landing of King William pageant in Carrickfergus, our own 11th night pageant which is the pinnacle of our year along with various charity and cultural events.
Garden Village & Bandstand
Trade stands, jazz music provided by the Martello Jazz Band, traditional stick carving, flower arranging and gardening demonstrations by Vanessa Drew and CAFRE are just some of the interesting things to see and do in this relaxing area. Also on display are the YFCU Floral Art Competition winners.
Mr Alexander's Travelling Show
Mr Alexander has been perfecting his open-air one man show for over forty years. His show can be seen at many of Britain’s greatest events as well as at many fine English country houses and sites, thanks to a special collaboration with English Heritage. A unique and captivating blend of magic, juggling, unicycling, balance and illusion, the show is reminiscent of the Variety Shows of years ago. Closely choreographed and timed to ragtime and modern jazz, the show appeals to young and old alike. From the spectacular and gravity-defying three chair balance to his fascinating linking ring routine (which has been praised as the finest in Britain), the show guarantees to amuse, entertain and delight all who watch. He will present three or four different set shows during a day, and also improvise new routines between shows.
Set against the colourful and unique Victorian Theatre set, based on Pollock's twopenny coloured toy theatre, the open-air show has a feel of travelling shows of the twenties and thirties and the stage gives even the largest audiences a great view. The show is fully self-contained with its own generator. The whole set folds almost magically away into the trailer, which is painted to look like the outside of the theatre! Appearing each day in the Garden Village.
Pony Club Games
The Pony Club Mounted Games teams run a league to qualify for a place at the Balmoral Show. Six teams get the chance to compete in the main arena. It's fast, exciting and a brillant spectator event.
Interhunt Chase sponsored by Wilsons Auctions
For anyone that has been to the Show but missed the Interhunt Chase make sure it is on your must see list this year. A very popular event with the cheering and excitement often heard at the other end of the Showground's! The competition works like a relay race with two teams on horseback competing at the same time over identical courses, passing a hunting crop between each member. All teams are striving to get to the prestigious final.
Donkey Display
This attraction will evoke memories of a rural community and days gone by and will include implements and harnesses which belonged to the late Mr Orr of Ponderosa, Saintfield. You will see donkeys pulling original early 1900 items such as a hay turner, square donkey trap, hay rake, turnip sewer and stick digger.
Donkeys were also used for other rural jobs such as carry the clergy and doctor on their rounds and you will see a Norfolk trap used for this job and a milk cart which delivered milk to the city. A donkey jaunting car which in believed to be one of only two which exist in the UK today will also be in the display.
Today donkeys are used for leisure pursuits and taking part in the display is an Andalusian donkey which is used to compete in dressage competitions. Many famous riders started out their career in the saddle of a donkey and that includes Tony McCoy.
Children will be demonstrating how donkeys can take part in obstacle courses and games and this is the main use of donkeys in today’s society.
This is a great opportunity to see a fantastic parade and demonstration of restored original donkey farm machinery, equipment, carts and you can cheer on your favorite donkey in the obstacle course. Displays will take place on Thursday in Horse Ring 2 at 1.15pm and 3.30pm.
