A Day at the Balmoral Show: Sunshine, Showjumping, and the Soul of Northern Ireland

 A day at the Balmoral Show is always a good one, and this year was no different. With the sun shining down and the showgrounds buzzing with life, it was a perfect celebration of everything that’s great about Northern Ireland’s agriculture. From the animals to the food, the people to the atmosphere, it reminded me exactly why I love this place.

I’ve always had a deep love for animals – sheep, cattle, horses, you name it – so the Balmoral Show is right up my street. My first stop was the showjumping arena, where I sat in glorious sunshine and soaked it all in. Watching those horses fly over jumps took me straight back to my own riding days. As a girl, I rode with no fear, taking on cross country courses and loving every minute of it. Those were some of my best memories, and watching the showjumpers brought it all rushing back. The horses were stunning, their coats gleaming in the sunlight, moving with such power and elegance.

One of the lovely things about the Balmoral Show is the chance to catch up with people. I had a great chat with Matthew O’Toole about what I’m up to now that I’ve stepped back from politics, and it was really nice to reconnect. I also met up with farming friends, shared a few laughs and of course gave their beautiful cattle a pat – I couldn’t resist.

There were some extra special moments too. I met Dexter, a PSNI explosive search dog, who was absolutely adorable and clearly a professional at what he does. Then I made my way over to the guide dogs stand and met Raymond, a young puppy in training. He was exhausted, bless him, and getting lots of attention from everyone around. I couldn’t walk past without stopping to fuss over him.

No trip to Balmoral would be complete without bringing home some goodies, and I definitely did that. I stocked up on delicious treats from our incredible local food producers – coffee, homemade fudge, and everything in between. You really can’t beat the quality and passion that goes into their work.

Another unexpected highlight was chatting with the team at the RSPB. We spoke about their work on Rathlin Island, especially their efforts to protect the puffins, and I found it genuinely inspiring. It’s easy to forget just how special our wildlife is, and their dedication really struck a chord with me. I signed up on the spot – it felt good to support something that matters so much.

All in all, it was a brilliant day. Full of familiar faces, sunshine, animals, great food, and a strong sense of pride in who we are and what we do. The 170-mile round trip from Claudy to Lisburn was absolutely worth it. The Balmoral Show never fails to lift the spirits, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

https://balmoralshow.co.uk/