FARMERS gathered at Atherfield Farm on Saturday for the Isle of Wight Ploughing Association's annual Ploughing Match.

More than 40 competitors were judged on the opening, uniformity, firmness and usability — the whole point of ploughing is to prepare the land for new crops — of their assigned land, and they are grouped in categories depending on tractor.

Besides the ploughing, spectators enjoyed tractor rides, the Isle of Wight foxhounds and a display of tractors from vintage to modern reversible, alongside trade exhibits that included Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Isle of Wight Young Farmers Club and the NFU.

Champion Ploughman of the day went to Ricky Attrill, from the match plough category, who ploughed in a 1991 Ford.

His prizes include a 20 litre drum of oil from Isle of Wight Fuels and a £60 cash prize sponsored by the County Press.

This year, the Isle of Wight Ploughing Association's chosen charity is the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA).

HIOWAA is available both day and night, 365 days a year, and it is only thanks to events, such as the Ploughing Match, donating funds that it can provide the service it does, which costs £9,000 a day.

A prize giving evening for the winners of the nine ploughing classes will be held at The Griffin pub in Godshill on Friday.