R & J PA Hire returned to Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September to provide PA systems and live commentary for the Yorkshire Shooting Show 2026. From ferret demonstrations and gundog displays to wildfowling and cooking at the BASC stand, the weekend brought together several very different uses for clear, reliable sound.

Our work included the main ring PA and commentary unit, microphones for demonstrators, a separate sound system for cooking demonstrations and microphone support for an upstairs presentation. We also provided a radio microphone link into the racecourse PA for wider announcements.

Having supported the Yorkshire Shooting Show in 2025, it was good to return to a familiar venue and work around another programme of countryside demonstrations. This year, we also captured photographs and video to share a closer look at the action and our work behind the microphone.

Main Ring PA and Commentary at Doncaster Racecourse

The main ring was a central part of our weekend. With our commentary unit in position and speakers mounted on two stands, we supplied the sound system and Richard provided commentary on both days.

Commentary is about more than filling the gaps between displays. Introducing the demonstrators, explaining what is happening and helping visitors follow the programme all contribute to the experience around the ring. Some people stay to watch a full demonstration, while others arrive halfway through, so a clear introduction and a little context can make a difference.

Microphones also give demonstrators the opportunity to explain their work directly to the audience. Their knowledge and personality are part of the attraction, whether they are describing an animal’s behaviour or explaining a countryside skill.

Our event commentary service brings together that presentation role with practical experience of the sound equipment supporting it. At Doncaster, both sides of the job were part of our main ring work throughout the weekend.

Simon Whitehead and the Pakefield Ferrets

Simon Whitehead’s Pakefield Ferrets demonstration was one of the main ring displays featured in our footage from the show.

With live animals involved, visitors need to hear the explanation as well as see the action. A microphone allows a demonstrator to talk the audience through what is happening, sharing details that might otherwise be missed from the edge of the ring.

It was also a useful opportunity to capture the atmosphere on video. Our clips offer a glimpse of the demonstration alongside the commentary and PA work that helped present the programme to visitors.

Gundog Demonstrations with Darren Kirk

Darren Kirk brought gundog demonstrations to the main ring, giving visitors another reason to gather around the arena.

A gundog display combines movement with explanation. Watching a dog work is one part of it; hearing the handler describe the task helps the audience understand what they are seeing and appreciate the work involved.

For this type of presentation, speech needs to remain easy to follow around the viewing area. Speaker placement and microphone levels matter just as much as volume, particularly when the audience is spread along the ring rather than seated directly in front of a stage.

Chris Green’s Wildfowling Demonstration

Chris Green also appeared in the main ring with his wildfowling demonstration, adding another countryside interest to the weekend’s programme.

Supporting different presenters within the same arena is a good example of why event sound needs some flexibility. Each person has their own voice, style of delivery and way of using a microphone. The system needs to support those differences while keeping the explanation clear for visitors.

Alongside Simon Whitehead and Darren Kirk, Chris features in the video we filmed during the weekend. Together, the clips give a flavour of the variety in the main ring and the demonstrations we supported.

Sound for the BASC Cooking Demonstration

Away from the main ring, we supplied a separate amplifier, speakers and microphones for the cooking demonstration at the BASC stand, where Simon Whitehead was also involved.

A cooking demonstration calls for a different approach from an outdoor arena. People gather closer to the presenter and need to follow the explanation while watching the preparation. The sound should serve that smaller audience comfortably, with equipment positioned to suit the demonstration space.

Using a separate system allowed this area to have its own sound levels, independently of the main ring. It is a practical example of how several areas within one event can need different PA arrangements.

You can find out more about the British Association for Shooting and Conservation through the BASC website.

Presentation Microphones and Wider Announcements

Our work also included a headset microphone for an upstairs demonstration, giving the presenter a hands-free way to address the audience.

For wider announcements, we provided a radio microphone link into the racecourse PA. This was another part of the job alongside the local systems used for the ring and cooking demonstration.

At a venue with several activities taking place, it helps to think about who needs to hear each message. A presenter explaining a demonstration and an organiser making a general announcement have different requirements. Planning for those uses is part of choosing the right PA system for an event.

Photographs and Video from the Yorkshire Shooting Show 2026

We took new photographs and filmed short clips during the weekend, including main ring demonstrations and a little of Richard’s commentary.

These behind-the-scenes views show another side of our work: the commentary position, equipment in use and the different activities supported by the sound systems. They also give us a record of another weekend at Doncaster Racecourse to look back on.

Thank you to the organisers for having R & J PA Hire back, and to the demonstrators and everyone we worked alongside over the two days.

Watch a few highlights from the weekend below, featuring Simon Whitehead’s Pakefield Ferrets, Darren Kirk’s gundog demonstration and Chris Green’s wildfowling display.