THE animal magnetism proved irresistible at a crowd-pleasing countryside show which had everything from a Grand National winner to gravity-defying stunts.

Visitors were spoiled for choice when it came to sheer spectacle at the Hanbury Countryside Show today (Saturday).

There were 10,000 people through the gates compared to 8,000 people last year and 6,500 the year before, suggesting the show continues to grow in popularity.

Organiser Richard Heath said: “It is bigger and better this year with more trade stands and more exhibitors in every section. The show is going from strength to strength.”

New to the show this year were the Dairy classes in the cattle section and a country pursuits area which rang to the sound of farriers’ hammers.

Competitors included 22-year-old Harvey Lymer of Grimley as he raced against the clock in the Farrier Shoemaking Competition where entrants were given 40 to 50 minutes to make a specific type of shoe.

Visitors also tried their hand at archery and laser clay pigeon shooting.

The Broke FMX team drew gasps from the crowds as they showed off their freestyle Motocross skills and heart-stopping tricks.

They even talked to the crowd while performing a trick 35ft up in the air. Tricks included backflips and handstands. The riders performing were John Pearson and Dan Veale of Preston, Lancashire who can jump as far as 70ft on their bikes and as high as 30ft.

Others were delighted by the dog and duck show as a shepherd used his collies to round up ducks and herd them down a slide.

But for many visitors the heart of the show is the animals and the variety of breeds on display. One of the exhibitors was Bob Rawlins who revived a family tradition of breeding shire horses and is based in Middleton, Tamworth.

The 73-year-old said horses were in his blood as he showed off the Bromford Shires in the ring.

He is the son of George Rawlins, a haulage contractor in Birmingham before lorries came into fashion. His father worked 120 horses and carts for Rawlins Brothers Birmingham Limited.

There were no Bromford Shires between 1955 and 2006 until Mr Rawlins revived the tradition.

He won a 1st in the yearling category, the mare class and the foal class and 2nd in the gelding class.

Mike Shaw of Thornysure, Herefordshire who works in partnership with wife Caroline won 1st in the bull class and 1st for the Hereford Breed with his two-year-old Herefordshire Bull, Kasper.

Mr Shaw said: "His power and presence impressed the judges. He will be up for the best in show. I think he will do well but there's some good cattle here. It's in the lap of the judges."

Other winners included the Bray family from Martley - Kate, Matthew and daughter Sophie, aged 14, who won 1st prize for a Jacob ram aged over two years.

It is the first time they have attended the show with their ram, Henry, a breeding ram.

Matthew Bray said: “We’re quite chuffed. He has a good set of horns and his markings are typical of the breed.”

Kate Bray said: “We’re very pleased to win. It’s the first show we have ever done. We weren’t expecting to win so it’s a bit of a shock.”

Visitors also had a chance to try flydressing, courtesy of the Worcester Branch of the Flydressers Guild which meets at the Perdiswell Young People’s Centre in Worcester.

For those with an interest in other, more unusual animals there were owls from the Midlands Birds of Prey Rescue Centre and Alpacas.

Other attractions included parades of vintage and classic cars, a parade of Worcestershire Foxhounds and Warwickshire Beagles and the grand national winner (2014), Pineau De Re with Joan Bomford.