THE FIRST ploughing match in Cornwall open only to competitors using heavy horses was staged in Penwith at the weekend.

Organisers hope that the new event will sharpen the skills of Cornish competitors sufficiently to enable future teams to enter prestigious up-country contests.

Six pairs of shires, two Clydesdales and a pair of cobs turned over ground at the Cornish Horse Power match at Tremethick Cross.

A bumper crowd of about 150 people watched the eight teams as they were put through their paces at Trewidden farm on Sunday.

Robert Eddy, organiser and chairman of the Western Area Ploughing Match, said the size of the crowd was "beyond belief".

"The amount of people we had was amazing and made it all worthwhile," he said.

"We took more than £500 on the gate so after paying for insurance and toilets we will have enough left over to make a donation to our charity for disabled children.

"I was worried that no-one would come but it worked out brilliantly and I was really impressed with the turnout."

Competitors from across the county and Penwith gathered to plough in front of a panel of three judges.

Each team worked a plot and was scored out of a maximum of 200 points for straightness and uniformity of cut, as well as "ins and outs", tightness and skimming.

Mr Eddy, who owns 20 pairs of shire horses and will be helping the National Trust carry bulky items to help repair a bridge at a remote spot on the coastal path at Zennor, was keen to thank everyone who helped make the day such a success.

He hoped it might raise the profile of the event and one day lead to Cornish successes across the Tamar.

"We are trying to do a ploughing match which will get people over the border to compete down here," he added.

"I hope to get our horse ploughers good enough to go to Taunton for the British national championship.

"They are getting better and we are one day going to produce the goods but there is still a long way to go until we get it right."

Results: Class 1, high cut: Robert Eddy, Penwith; Class 2, long turn furrow: Dave Jones, Redruth; Class 3, general purpose: Paul Draper, Leedstown; Class 4, reversible: Tom James, Redruth.