Glenarm Castle Highlander Challenge Tuesday 14th & Wednesday 15th July
Sponsored by P & O Irish Sea
Thank you to all our sponsors and to everyone who helped with the Highlander Challenge this year and especially to our visitors – we hope you had an enjoyable day and look forward to welcoming you back again next year.
In spite of a few sun showers the Highlander Challenge was a huge success with fierce competition in the main arena over the two days. Poland's Sebastian Wenta was crowned Champion of the Highlander Challenge with Kyrylo Chuprynin from Ukraine a close 2nd and England's Scott Rider being placed 3rd.
Intense competition continued in the Sheep Shearing with New Zealand’s top class Shearer, David Fagan winning the Open Finals. His nephew, James Fagan, also from New Zealand, was a close 2nd and Simon Bedwell (Scotland) and Paul Smyth (N Ireland, Broughshane) were placed 3rd and 4th respectively. Paul Smyth also picked up The Robinson Cup for Best Local Shearer and the Winners Jackson Cup was awarded to Oliver Branigan from Londonderry.
Mark Willis was crowned winner of the Pole Climbing Competition with Philip Annett coming 2nd and Stephen Donaghy and Darren Corry being placed 3rd and 4th respectively.
New to Glenarm this year was the notorious Wall of Death, and as promised, the Messham Brothers certainly enthralled visitors with their spectacular and breathtaking displays of acrobatic motorcycle riding.
Also, new to Glenarm this year were celebrity chefs, Jenny Bristow and Danny Millar who cooked up some fun and easy summer dishes with some of Ireland’s best produce which was on display during the event and available for visitors to sample.
The All Breed Open Dog Show was a great new attraction on Day 2 and encouraged many visitors to bring along their dogs to also enjoy this fantastic family day out.
Visitors also had the opportunity to enjoy Piping and Drumming competitions, Highland Dancing competitions, Shorthorn & Clydesdale competitions, vintage displays, wood sculpting, trade & craft stands, traditional fun fair rides, traditional music and dancing along with some vivacious carnival dancing, carriage driving, helicopter rides and much more – this really was a terrific day out for all the family.
Our 2010 Highlander Challenge has been postponed. Information on 2011 event will follow.