When the rain was bucketing down at its worst at Briscwm Fields on Wednesday morning there was a decided feeling of doom and gloom in the air even among the most optimistic in Cardigan and District Agricultural Show Society ranks.

This showground setting has certainly never been any muddier, but once the wet stuff none of those professionals supposedly in the know forecast to come about relented, the day perked up.

Show president Mr Islwyn Griffiths obviously knew what he was talking about amid prolonged heavy drizzle in bravely predicting "By the end of the day we might see some sun".

He was dead right and the buzz doing the rounds among seasoned insiders involved in organising the event was that they might salvage a break-even balance of what some were wildly labelling a total financial washout. The reintroduction of classes for cattle and other cloven footed animals after the ravages of foot and mouth was something that earned the show committee considerable admiration considering the stringent DEFRA regulations that had to be rigorously adhered to.

Show committee chairman Eirwyn Harries and his team deserve to take a big pat on the back.

A good turn on the part of Greens Motors, Haverfordwest, ensured that the Line Dancing Demonstrations by the Newcastle Emlyn based Teifi Valley Stompers were not wrecked by the elements.

With treading the slippery boards deemed too dangerous in the open air, Greens' provided a small marquee in a hurry to save the day for the troupe of 20 Country and Western dancers.

Principal prizewinners at Cardigan Show were as follows:-

Cattle Section Holstein: champion and reserve champion, Hefyn Wilson, Tregibby, Cardigan. Any other dairy breed: champion, Rhydian Jenkins, Plas y Bont, Cynwyl Elfed, Carmarthen; reserve champion, Mr & Mrs P. Williams. Jersey: champion, Mrs Maisie Randerson, Cwrcoed, Llangoedmor, Cardigan; reserve champion, Arwyn Wilson, Tregibby, Cardigan. Dexter: champion, Mr & Mrs R E Lewis, Coedycwm, Cwmcou, Newcastle Emlyn; reserve champion, Mrs M A Williams, Ietgoch, Llanboidy, Whitland. Beef Section Welsh Black: Champion, Mr & Mrs A Griffiths & Caryl, Glandulas, Llangybi, Lampeter; reserve, Mr & Mrs G D James,Bernards Well Isaf, Tufton, Clarbeston Road, Haverdordwest. Hereford: champion, F G Goodall, Glyntywarch, Babel, Llandovery; reserve, Mr & Mrs T G Thorne, Studdolph Hall, Milford Haven. Any other beef breed: champion, & reserve, Mr & Mrs G D Cannings. British Limousin Cattle: champion, G Thomas, Orllwyn, Cwmffrwd, Carmarthen; reserve champion, D Dylan James, Blaencowin, Bryn Iwan, Cynwyl Elfed, Carmarthen. British Simmental Cattle: champion, M O Jones; reserve champion, R W Jenkins, Penwern Fawr, Cwmcou, Newcastle Emlyn. Commercial Beef Cattle: champion, Emily Jones, Coedmor Hall, Lampeter; reserve champion, Tomos Jenkins, Pantyrodyn, Brongest, Newcastle Emlyn. Best child handler of female cattle, 11 years of age and under: champion, Fflur Davies, Hafod, Ferwig, Cardigan; reserve champion, Steffan Reed, Rhosygadair Fawr, Blaenannerch, Cardigan. Best child handler of female cattle, 12-16 years: 1, Non Thorne, Studdolph Hall, Milford Haven; 2, Teleri Jenkins, Pantyrodyn, Brongest, Newcastle Emlyn. Horse Section Shires: champion, William Jones, Caerbellan, Tywyn; reserve champion, Mr & Mrs E Davies, Llwch yr Hal Uchaf, Blaencillech, Newcatle Emlyn. Welsh Ponies, Section B: champion, Ms. Megan Lewis, Ffrwdfal, Pumpsaint, Llanwrda; reserve champion, Mrs M Marshalsay, Palmon, Llanddeiniol, Aberystwyth. Welsh Cobs, Section "D": champion, Messrs Jones Bros &B Mr and Mrs G Jones, Frongoy, Pennant, Llanon, Aberystwyth; reserve champion, Mr & Mrs D M Thomas, Cruglwyd, Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn. Welsh Pony, Cob Type, Section "C": champion, Davies Family, Gwenllan Stud, Henllan, Llandysul; reserve champion, Mr & Mrs G P Baker. Welsh Mountain Ponies, Section "A": champion, Mr & Mrs N Jones, Tanygraig, Mynyddcerrig, Kidwelly; reserve champion, Ms. Lucy and Amy Thomas, Settlands, Freystrop, Haverfordwest. Welsh Part-Bred: champion, Mrs R Rees, Penllwynplan, Meidrim; reserve champion, Mrs Sue Bickham, Ty Canol, Penygroes, Crymych. Palomino: champion, Mrs J F Duke, Tirbach Farm, Garnant, Ammanford; reserve champion, Mrs L Harries, Llain, Cefnpant, Whitland. Pure or Part-Bred Arabs: champion, E W Morris, Brynawel, Clarbeston Road, Haverfordwest; reserve champion, B H Silk, Rath Farm, Camrose, Haverfordwest. Riding Pony Breeding: champion & reserve champion, Mrs R Rees. Hunter Pony Breeding: champion, Miss T M & A A Jones, Bryn Lluest, Cilcennin, Lampeter; reserve champion, Miss J M Reed, Longhouse, Wiston, Haverfordwest. Hunters: champion & reserve champion, Dewi Lewis, Pantycaws Stud, Efailwen, Clunderwen. Hunters: overall champion, Dewi Lewis. Children's Riding Ponies: champion, K J Davies, Swn y Nant, Tregaron; reserve champion, B H Silk. Working Hunter Ponies: champion, Mrs A J Green, Ivy Cottage, Rudbaxton, Haverfordwest; reserve champion, Mrs S A Gardham, Copperstone House, East Pelcomb Farm, Pelcomb Bridge, Haverfordwest, Show Hunter Ponies: champion, Nicole George, Haverfordwest; reserve champion, Hannah Watts, Three Gables, Pill Road, Hook, Haverfordwest. Open Working Hunter: champion, Mrs Helen Evans, Clos Hen, Llangolman, Haverfordwest; reserve champion, Mrs M Johns, Pencnwc Farm, Castle Morris, Haverfordwest. Shetland ponies: champion, Mrs J Rawlings, Goytre Farm, Ffostrasol, Llandysul; reserve champion, Mrs K Kard & L M Card, Brynawelon, Llanllwni, Pencader. Donkeys: champion & reserve champion, Miss E Sarah Cooper, Tycoch Farm, Trimsaran, Kidwelly. Coloured Horses and Ponies: champion, Miss J M Reed; reserve champion, Mrs R A Watton, Gwndwn Bach Farm, Pontiets, Llanelli. Any Foreign Breed: champion, Ms. Sally Knight, Lone Far, Cynheidre, Llanelli; reserve champion, Mrs J F Duke. Mounted Fancy Dress: chmpion J Williams, ; reserve champion, Taryn Williams. Best Child Handler in Horse/Pony Section: champion, Kate Davies, Ynys y Coed, Llandre, Aberystwyth; reserve champion, Tom Clark, Trimsaran, Llanelli. Supreme Champion of the Horse Section: Messrs. Jones Bros, & Mr & Mrs G Jones, Frongoy, Pennant, Llanon, Aberystwyth; reserve, Mr & Mrs N Jones, Tanygraig, Mynyddcerrig, Kidwelly. Trade Stands: best under 25ft - Stephens, Pentood, Cardigan; best over 25ft - Coed Cymru. Sheep Section Black Welsh Mountain: champion & reserve champion, S J & BD & G Jones, Garden Cottage, Robleston Hall, Camrose, Haverfordwest. Welsh Mountain: champion & reserve champion, A E Jones,Brynbach, Dryslwyn, Carmarthen. Llanwenog: champion, J D Evans, Brynlluest, Talgarreg, Llandysul; reserve champion, D L & R Jenkins, Beili Gwyn, Capel Dewi, Llandysul. Suffolk: champion, I R Harries, Fronbannon, Penygroes, Crymych; reserve champion, Arthur Morgan, Anghorfa, Ferwig, Cardigan. Lowland (other than Continental and Suffolk): champion, Mr & Mrs K & D R Price, Mountain Hall, Saron, Llangeler, Llandysul; Mr & Mrs H & M Twigg, Cnwc y Rhos, Eglwyswrw. Texel: Champion, Jim Jones, Preswylfa, Nantgaredig, Carmarthen; reserve champion, Gwyn Davies, Trefere Uchaf, Penparc, Cardigan. Continental (other than Texel): champion, I J Davies, Cysgod y Brwyn, Llandyfriog, Newcastle Emlyn; reserve champion, Mrs E M Williams, Pencwm, Rhydowen, Llandysul. Jacob Sheep: champion & reserve champion, B & D Howells, Fferm parcllyn, Bettws Ifan, Newcastle Emlyn. Badger Face Sheep: champion & reserve, Mrs S Metcalf, Woodlands, Wiston, Haverfordwest. Llecyn Sheep: Champion & resereve, Mr & Mrs R G & H M Wells, Glaneri, Ferwig, Cardigan. Pet Lamp - champion(shared). Sarah Williams, Pentrecwrt, Llandysul, and Harri Vaughan, Tufton, Clarbeston Road, Haverfordwest. Supreme Champion of the Sheep Section: I J Davies; reserve, A Jones. Pig Section: champion, Mr & Mrs G & J Owens, Llety Farm, Llannon, Llanelli; reserve champion, Everitt & Copley Family, Dan y Coed, Brynglas, Llangadog, Carms. Goat Section: champion, Mrs C Lovell, Gelli Isaf, Rhydcymerau, Llandeilo; reserve champion, I & M Grant, Upper Forehill. New Moat, Clarbeston Road, Haverfordwest. Angora Goats: champion, G Sexton, Ffynnon Watty, Moylegrove; reserve champion, Mr & Mrs C & D Tyler, Penrallt Uchaf, Crymych. Cup for highest number of points in the Open Handicrafts Section: Mrs Wendy Nightingale, Cenarth. Best item in in Open Art and Rural Crafts Sections, Mr Elfed Owen, Maesycoed, Fishguard Road, Cardigan Cups for highest number of points in the Cookery Section: Glenys Rees, Delfan, Cwmhiraeth, Newcastle Emlyn. Trophy for the highest number of points in the Preserves Section: Glenys Rees. Cup for the highest number of points in the Wine Section: Mr Islwyn Iago, Felinwynt, Cardigan. Cup for best photograph: Borman High, St Dogmaels. Junior overall winners - Rhys Jones, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn. and Gwen Phillips, Lleine, Ferwig, Cardigan, Dog Show (256 entries) best in show - Glenda Lewis, Aberaeron (Dachshund); reserve best in show - Kira Saunders, Carmarthen (Boxer). Best puppy - Wendy Evans, Meidrim (Red Cocker). Best child handler - Nathan Nicolayson, Glynarthen, Llandysul. Other champions and cup winners at the show were as follows:- Farm Produce Trophy for the overall best exhibitor in this section - T B Lloyd, Cwmisdwr, Pentrecwrt, Llandysul. Horticulture Section Best exhibitor in vegetable classes - D J Williams, Erwlon, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn. Farm, Vegetable and flower section - Overall champion of this section and national vegetable medal: Mr D . Gwyn Williams, Blaenplwyf House, Llanydydder. Overall winner of the flower section - Mr Llew Jones, Old Post Office, Llandygwydd, cardigan. Champion dahlia: Mr Gwyn Williams. Champion fuscia: Mr Dai Davies, 30 Heol y Felin, Penparc, Cardigan. Best overall in fruit section: Sylvia Morgan, Carrog Farm, Llanrhydtud. Gill Hobby Peretual Memorial Cup: Mrs Llinos Twigg, Trefelin, Fishguard Road, Cardigan. Best exhibit in floral art (Cardigan Flower Arranging challenge cup): Yr Hafod, Cardigan.