SENSIBLE shoes and all-weather clothes are essentials for a day at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Christine Barber, who has been commentating at the GYS for a quarter of a century, knows this all too well.

“You’ve got to wear granny shoes, stilettos are no good,” says Christine, with a wry chuckle. She knows this interview is for the Women’s Page, so she is happy to talk about the fashion constraints posed by manning the main ring of the showground.

“You have got to be comfortable as you are on your feet all day – also if you are in the ring and an animal moves quickly you have to be wearing shoes you can move in.”

Christine’s long day begins at 6.15am when she leaves her home at Healaugh, near Tadcaster, to arrive at the Harrogate showground for 6.45am, with finishing time around 8pm.

During the day she will have commentated on everything from cattle parades to show jumping as well as interviewing participants – all the while pointing out key events to the thronging crowd.

“There is something for everybody,” says Christine. “There are fashion shows, events in the cookery show and even a flower show that is like a miniature Chelsea. There are also lots of trade stands selling clothes, jewellery and children’s toys, as well as the food halls selling sausages, chutneys and even curries.”

The dress code for commentators is smart – after all, Christine has had to perform in front of the Queen. “We are expected to wear a hat; but not an Ascot-type hat; we are not there to make a fashion statement. I normally wear a straw one, but I have a waterproof one too.”

Being prepared for what the heavens will unleash is all part of the job. “You have to have full weather gear because you still have to get out there, get information and talk to people. The show goes on, regardless of the weather.”

Yorkshire born and bred, Christine trained as a secretary after leaving Harrogate Ladies College, although farming, she says, was “in her genes.” Her grandparents farmed near Tadcaster and Christine was a horse-mad, competing in eventing, show jumping and dressage. She still rides now and has a native pony, a Highland Cross, named Baldrick.

She first stepped into the ring at the Otley show when the commentator cried off sick. “I had been a keen member of the Young Farmers and did lots of public speaking competitions, so it gave me confidence to speak in public. I also did diction lessons at school.”

She even flirted with broadcasting, working at BBC Radio York, where she was told she had a voice for “Radio 4”. Today, she travels across Britain to commentate on shows and farming events.

The GYS is the premier agricultural show in England, and Christine believes it serves an important purpose. “It brings rural and town together. It’s educational, showing what farmers can do. So often they get a bad press about standards of welfare, but you come to the show and you will be impressed: animal welfare in Britain is probably the best in the world.”

• The Great Yorkshire Show will take place at Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, from July 12 to 14. Tickets are available online greatyorkshireshow.co.uk or by phoning the show offices on 01423 541222.