A life size steel sculpture of the Craven Heifer which toured the county to promote the 160th Great Yorkshire Show has taken up permanent residence on the Showground.

Weighing more than half a tonne and standing at 6ft tall, the magnificent galvanised steel sculpture now stands near the entrance to Fodder and the Great Yorkshire Showground.

The Craven Heifer sculpture was made by Whitby-sculptor Emma Stothard and toured the county in the run up to the 160th Show in July.

The sculpture took prime position on the President’s Lawn during the Show, where she was seen by the 134,421 visitors who attended over the three days – including HRH The Princess Royal.

Charles Mills, Show Director, said: “We loved every minute of our tour with the Craven Heifer and it was a proud moment to present our iconic sculpture to The Princess Royal during her visit.”

Margaret Chapman, the Show’s Chief Cattle Steward, assisted Emma Stothard with research to ensure it was as lifelike as possible. Margaret added: “I think the Heifer looks brilliantly placed – exactly where I had hoped she would be – welcoming visitors into the Showground. She looks magnificent!”

Emma Stothard, sculptor added: “It’s been a momentous year and I am so proud to have created a lasting legacy for the 160th Great Yorkshire Show.”

The Craven Heifer became a national phenomenon in the 1800s. People would pay to see the heifer who was put on show on her way to Smithfield Market, London, and remains the largest heifer ever shown in England and lived in the same era as the first show.

The sculpture is a one off, bespoke, life-size sculpture in steel which stands 6ft high, 4ft wide and 11ft long. She was created at sculptor Emma’s Whitby studio before being galvanised in Bradford and powder coated in Middlesbrough. She was then attached to a specially designed Great Yorkshire Show truck by HACS construction services in Ripley – ready for her journey.

The Great Yorkshire Show organisers are now gearing up for its Autumn event, Countryside Live, held on the Showground in Harrogate on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October.

(l-r) Sculptor Emma Stothard and GYS Chief Cattle Steward Margaret Chapman and Show Director Charles Mills