IN a showground of more than 4500 people, “you could have heard a pin drop”, Stroud Show president James Harris said of the moment the community paid tribute to the late Eric Yates.
Mr Yates, 47, who was credited with bringing the Bull Futurity to the colourful annual show, passed away suddenly in January. The futurity is a training event where riders bring younger bulls to prepare them for professional competitions and was this year dedicated to the memory of Mr Yates.
“At the start of the Eric Yates Memorial Bull Ride we had a minute’s silence and in a showground with more than 4500 people, you could have heard a pin drop,” Mr Harris said of the emotional moment that spoke volumes of the high regard the community had for Mr Yates.
More than 4800 people attended the event on Saturday and 1400 on Friday, taking part in the bull riding and dog jumping competitions as well as the lawn mower and pig races.
The infamous wife carrying event was won by Stroud couple Harry Reid and Chelsea Bronima who now head to the nationals in Singleton in September.
