27-04-2025
First Minister Eluned Morgan visits Cardigan's Barley Saturday 2025
The historic event, with its unique parade of stallions, drew spectators from far and wide to enjoy the lively atmosphere, smartly turned-out horses and gleaming vintage vehicles.
And amongst the crowds was Wales' First Minister, Eluned Morgan, who said afterwards: "Brilliant to be at Barley Saturday today!
'It's one of the local highlights of the year - a celebration of Cardigan's deep farming roots, local produce and the incredible sense of community that makes this part of Wales so special.
First Minister Eluned hitches a ride aboard Ken Symmons' tractor. (Image: Stuart Ladd) 'Thirty one years ago, my first visit (was) where I went on the back of a gambo led by an amazing horse!
'It was wonderful to return today to see how much it has grown and developed with thousands lining the route."
The Supreme Champion leads the parade. (Image: Stuart Ladd) Barley Saturday's history stretches way back to 1871 when horsepower was king and motorised vehicles were still three decades in the future.
It keeps alive a long-held tradition, whilst bridging the divide between the country and the town, said show secretary Tudor Harries.
Welsh Cob Section D winner, Abergavenny Flash Harry, owned by Karla Gardner of Menai Stud, Pantydefaid and shown bv Thomas Jones. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
Barley Saturday got underway at 11am with the stallion show on the playing fields of Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi.
The streets were packed for the event. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
Overnight rain and a damp morning deterred a few of the entrants, but there was still an encouraging turnout of 50 stallions and a further ten exhibits in the turnout and harness classes.
A stallion is put through his paces in the show ring. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
Mr Harries added: 'We had healthy classes of Shires and Shetlands, and it was good to see a number of new exhibitors. They all seemed to enjoy the day.
The Supreme Champion on a victory run through the town. (Image: Stuart Ladd) 'What makes Barley Saturday special is there's no big pressure, everybody had a smile of their face, and people are happy to come along to see the tradition continuing.'
These youngsters are helping to keep the Barley Saturday tradition alive. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
Mr Harries particularly thanked the day's sponsors who help to offset the event costs of around £10,000. 'We have rising costs every year, so sponsorship, however small is very valued,' he said.
Action from the unique parade of stallions. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
The 2pm parade through the town was preceded on foot by the parade marshal, vintage secretary Mark Jukes and was headed by show president Mrs Helen Jones, of Castell Howell, her husband, Brian, and show chairman Geraint James and his wife Sian, of Awen Teifi, riding in a carriage drawn by John Fletcher's 'Gentle Giants'.
The show organisers were pleased with the 'healthy' turnout of stallions. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
The supreme champion stallion was Dane Valley Lord Louis, a three-year-old Shire owned by Joe Durman of Eagle Shires, Llandeilo who led the horse parade
A spirited stallion display in the show ring. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
A steady stream of vintage vehicles, including cars and tractors of all makes, shapes and sizes, followed hard on their heels.
Vintage tractors on parade. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
The reserve champion stallion was Cruglwyd Rhuban Glas, a three-year-old Welsh cob from Capel Iwan.
This gleaming vintage car was a head-turner. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
The heavy horse/harness turnout supreme was won by Kim and Dawn Hawker of Laugharne's private exercise vehicle with Shetland pony Wern Ferlig Douglas between the shafts.
Reserve was Paul Munder from Salem's tradesmans's vehicle, pulled by Fred the Shetland.
The Best Tradesman turnout and reserve heavy horse/turnout awards were won by Paul Munder of Salem. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
