THE RAIN came down but the people still came out to enjoy the gentle pleasures of the event that likes to be known as the L'al Royal Show, reports Jennie Dennett.

In wellies and rustling macs around 1,500 spectators arrived at Saturday's Lowick Show, matching last year's crowd that took to the showfield in sunnier climes.

Over by the cattle and sheep pens, the ritual gathering of local farmers sized up each other's stock and lent on the gates to discuss pressing agricultural matters.

"A lot of people go to football on a Saturday afternoon, this lot get enjoyment out of showing their animals," said judge and Ulverston farmer William Case. "It's the camaraderie of it all and the beer tent later on."

Among those planning a trip to that particular tent was Seathwaite farmer Anthony Hartley, who was toying with the idea of supping a celebratory ale from the champion's cup clinched by his Herdwick ram.

"It's difficult with the animal movement licences but it's nice to take the sheep to shows and let people see them," he said. His sentiments were shared by fellow sheep men boosting this year's tally to 237 entries, which judges believed was the strongest turnout for some time.

Certainly Mr Hartley was glad he had made the effort as was his ram: "I'm very pleased to win. I think the ram is a bit amused by it all. He quite enjoys all the attention. Some just get fed-up of it."

Similarly lapping-up the admiration was Dalton Ursula, the fine Blonde d'Aquitaine heifer whose style, good line and well-proportioned hindquarters secured the Supreme Champions' rosette in the cattle classes.

"She's like a big dog. She loves to be patted and that enjoyment comes out in the ring," observed Ursula's owner Tamara Atkinson, who runs a small-holding at Scales with partner John Langhorn.

Over in the well-supported horse classes, plenty of people were enjoying the equestrian action. After not riding all summer, 31-year-old Sarah Richardson, of Allithwaite, enthused that it "felt fantastic" to take the top spot in the over-21s Equitation class at a show she has ridden in since she was just four.

Other old-hands had left their jodpurs behind this year to watch their own children canter around the show-ring as they once had.

"It's nice to share our interest," said Carol Winder, whose 14-year-old daughter Emma Bell was adding to her own rosette collection with a win in two classes. "Lowick's got a friendly atmosphere. It's a good family day out. Lets hope it continues."

Terrier owners were hoping to start their own tradition of competition at Lowick as the show staged its first terrier show. There were about 40 entries which organiser Mark Seward of the Hoad View Vermin club felt was a good turnout for a first effort.

Overall, show president Mark Southern rated Lowick 2004 as "very good".

"We had such a quiet start because of the miserable weather but everyone has persevered because a huge amount of effort that goes to putting this on and it's brightened up.

"We're pleased to see there has been a really good turn-out with the sheep and there were a lot of youngsters out there under 15 showing sheep. To have youngsters who are keen and enthusiastic is really encouraging for the future of farming."