A CROSSGATES farmer has played his part in smashing a world record as nearly 100 horses took to the field in a huge ploughing match.

Dave Nelson (73), of Cuttlehill Farm, headed over to Northern Ireland at the end of February to join in with the centenary celebrations at the annual Mullahead & District ploughing match, held near Portadown in County Armagh.

The 100 year milestone was marked with an attempt to break the world record for the amount of horses ploughing in the same field at the same time and Dave told the Times he was delighted to be part of the historic event.

“It’s quite an achievement!” he said. “It was exciting to take part in it for the 100 years celebration and the world record. It was quite an atmosphere.

“They were trying to get 100 horses for 100 years and 98 signed up. Unfortunately four pairs couldn’t make it so we ended up with 90.

“At 12.30 pm we all lined up and to see the sight of 90 horses all standing together was quite something.

“It was some atmosphere just to be there and take part. It was the biggest number of horses I have ever seen all together and to see that was quite some picture.” Dave added, “Thankfully the weather kept up quite good. It really was special to be part of it. It’s the highlight of the year going over there every year and getting do something like this makes it very enjoyable.” Dave came third in the swing class in the individual ploughing matches with his own Clydesdale horses, Danny and Prince, but says he just enjoys taking part as a hobby.

“I was brought up with horses,” he explained. “I saw them disappear as tractors and machinery came in. Ploughing with them is a hobby now, I really enjoy it and it’s equivalent to a businessman going for a game of golf!”