2013 European Reversible Ploughing Contest, 14th & 15th September, Germany
A team from Northern Ireland have set off to Aschendorf, Germany to compete in the 30th European Reversible Ploughing Contest this weekend. Adrian Jamison (Ballycastle) and Ronnie Coulter (Hillsborough) both qualified at last year’s Northern Ireland International Contest in Eglinton, Co Londonderry and will be joined by Mercer Ward (Hillsborough) along with Northern Ireland Ploughing Association (NIPA) President, William King (Coleraine) as judge.
It has already been a busy year for both competitors. Adrian, a dairy and potato farmer, was nominated Northern Ireland’s team coach at this year’s World Ploughing Contest in Canada in July. Adrian will compete in the Euro contest for the 17th time and his best result to date was 4th overall. Ronnie, who was recently awarded the BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to agriculture and the rural community in Northern Ireland, has competed at four European contests. The team’s own tractors and ploughs were shipped out to Germany last weekend with the team following on Wednesday. They met up with competitors from all over Europe where they had a couple of day’s practice before the contest on 14th & 15th September.
Ahead of their trip to Germany, Adrian said “We are really looking forward to this year’s contest. The site is on white sandy soil so ground conditions will be fairly good. Northern Ireland has a proud record at this event and I have always enjoyed competing at the European contest. While the competition is tough and there will be a high standard in ploughing, there is a great camaraderie amongst the competitors. This will be my 17th time competing at the event – I have only missed the contest twice since 1995 – and will be looking to improve on my best result so far which is a 4th place.
Ronnie Coulter, has also competed at European level before. On his return from England where he attended the European Vintage Championships last weekend, Ronnie stated “I have been fortunate enough to plough at the European Contest on four previous occasions with a 5th overall my best result. It’s a privilege to represent my country and I’m looking forward to teaming up with Adrian, William and Mercer.” The aggregate total from two day’s ploughing will be used to calculate the 2013 European Champion.
NIPA President, Mr William King, speaking ahead of the contest said, “Northern Ireland competitors have been very successful at this contest having won the event on four of the last six years. We hosted a very successful European Contest last year as part of our annual International Ploughing Championships where John Whelan from Republic of Ireland triumphed and then went on to win the world title. Both of our competitors are vastly experienced ploughmen and we wish them every success in Germany”.
2013 is another big year for the NIPA who celebrate another landmark in their history. The 70th International Ploughing Championships will take place on the 18th & 19th October at Dundarave Estate on the outskirts of Bushmills. NIPA Chairman, Mr Wilson Holden speaking before events launch next week said “The NIPA are extremely delighted and proud to be returning to Bushmills for our championships. We hosted the event in the same location in 2009 and ground conditions are perfect for ploughing. We are excited to be celebrating 70 years of our contest and after a summer of favourable weather, harvest is well under way and our event is an opportunity for all the family to enjoy a great day out.”
Mr Holden continued, “Along with the national ploughing finals, the contest will also play host to the Five nations ploughing Contest with top competitors from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales battling it out to be champion. As well as an international ploughing competition, there will be trade exhibits, Country crafts, Young Farmers Clubs competitions, local vintage club displays plus local school displays for our visitors to enjoy. Over the past couple of years we have aimed to increase the number of visitors and exhibitors, showcasing a wide range of products from farm machinery and vehicles, to food and small crafts.”
Visit our 2013 NIPA Ploughing Page. For trade enquiries click on Exhibitors
It has already been a busy year for both competitors. Adrian, a dairy and potato farmer, was nominated Northern Ireland’s team coach at this year’s World Ploughing Contest in Canada in July. Adrian will compete in the Euro contest for the 17th time and his best result to date was 4th overall. Ronnie, who was recently awarded the BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to agriculture and the rural community in Northern Ireland, has competed at four European contests. The team’s own tractors and ploughs were shipped out to Germany last weekend with the team following on Wednesday. They met up with competitors from all over Europe where they had a couple of day’s practice before the contest on 14th & 15th September.
Ahead of their trip to Germany, Adrian said “We are really looking forward to this year’s contest. The site is on white sandy soil so ground conditions will be fairly good. Northern Ireland has a proud record at this event and I have always enjoyed competing at the European contest. While the competition is tough and there will be a high standard in ploughing, there is a great camaraderie amongst the competitors. This will be my 17th time competing at the event – I have only missed the contest twice since 1995 – and will be looking to improve on my best result so far which is a 4th place.
Ronnie Coulter, has also competed at European level before. On his return from England where he attended the European Vintage Championships last weekend, Ronnie stated “I have been fortunate enough to plough at the European Contest on four previous occasions with a 5th overall my best result. It’s a privilege to represent my country and I’m looking forward to teaming up with Adrian, William and Mercer.” The aggregate total from two day’s ploughing will be used to calculate the 2013 European Champion.
NIPA President, Mr William King, speaking ahead of the contest said, “Northern Ireland competitors have been very successful at this contest having won the event on four of the last six years. We hosted a very successful European Contest last year as part of our annual International Ploughing Championships where John Whelan from Republic of Ireland triumphed and then went on to win the world title. Both of our competitors are vastly experienced ploughmen and we wish them every success in Germany”.
2013 is another big year for the NIPA who celebrate another landmark in their history. The 70th International Ploughing Championships will take place on the 18th & 19th October at Dundarave Estate on the outskirts of Bushmills. NIPA Chairman, Mr Wilson Holden speaking before events launch next week said “The NIPA are extremely delighted and proud to be returning to Bushmills for our championships. We hosted the event in the same location in 2009 and ground conditions are perfect for ploughing. We are excited to be celebrating 70 years of our contest and after a summer of favourable weather, harvest is well under way and our event is an opportunity for all the family to enjoy a great day out.”
Mr Holden continued, “Along with the national ploughing finals, the contest will also play host to the Five nations ploughing Contest with top competitors from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales battling it out to be champion. As well as an international ploughing competition, there will be trade exhibits, Country crafts, Young Farmers Clubs competitions, local vintage club displays plus local school displays for our visitors to enjoy. Over the past couple of years we have aimed to increase the number of visitors and exhibitors, showcasing a wide range of products from farm machinery and vehicles, to food and small crafts.”
Visit our 2013 NIPA Ploughing Page. For trade enquiries click on Exhibitors