It is easy to see why Scottish exhibitors are making the journey to the Great Yorkshire in increasing numbers it is a true agricultural show in the best sense of the words.
It also satisfies the primeval Scottish urge to head over the border at least once a year in search of silverware and other assorted booty.
The Royal Show at Kenilworth, until its untimely demise, used to fulfil the role.
The Great Yorkshire is now clearly the show of choice.
The Royal Show has been mentioned frequently this week, for the wrong reasons. Rather than fond memories of a once-great event, there is anger over the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s decision to sell its collection of trophies, art and literature.
Breed society officials here at Harrogate are quietly furious that the “family silverware” is to be auctioned tomorrow in London.
They are reluctant to be quoted openly because in many cases they are negotiating to have trophies, which they believe belong to their societies rather than to RASE, returned to their custody.
The Great Yorkshire itself is, of course, unaffected, and is clearly an event with plenty of confidence in its own durability.
This is the 156th show, and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society was the first in the UK to have its own permanent showground.
The directors bought 200 acres on the outskirts of Harrogate in 1949 and held their first show here in 1951.
Some of the buildings were built at the time and are still in service giving the showground a pleasantly traditional feel.
It is certainly popular, attracting around 130,000 visitors over the three-day run.
This gives it a daily attendance of more than 40,000, making it not too different from the Royal Highland although it, of course, has a four-day run.
Holding the Great Yorkshire midweek doesn’t seem to deter the general public.
The show has managed to achieve the same sort of balance between retailing and agriculture that has been such a success at the Highland.
As long as it continues to do so, there will be no fear of its silverware being put on the market.