The organisers of the world’s largest gathering of Shire horses have announced the date of next year’s event.
The Shire Horse National Show will take place for the fifth year running at Staffordshire Showground and will be held from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd March 2020.
“We had a fantastic show at Bingley Hall at Staffordshire Showground in 2019 and we are delighted to announce that we will be returning to the same venue once again in 2020,” said Victoria Clayton, secretary of The Shire Horse Society.
“Our event is believed to be one of the oldest, almost continuous, horse shows in the world, having been held for the first time at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London, in 1878, when our charity was named the English Cart Horse Society.
“Staffordshire Showground is now firmly our ‘new’ home, and we are already looking forward to returning from 20th to 22nd March, when we will be joined by Shire horses and their owners and handlers from across Europe.
“It’s a great day out for families – not just for those who are competing – and we were thrilled to have so many visitors to the show this year.”
Ticket prices for the event will remain the same for 2020 and are now on sale via the Shire Horse Society’s website.
The Shire Horse National Show generally attracts around 250 pedigree Shire horses from across Europe, which are shown in-hand, ridden or turned out.
It’s the perfect chance to see the gentle giants of the horse world in all their finery and to learn more about this magnificent breed which has played such an important role in Britain’s history.
Only a few decades ago, the breed was in danger of dying out. But it has experienced a resurgence in recent years, although it is still on the endangered breed list compiled by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, with fewer than 300 pedigree Shire horse foals born in the UK every year.
The annual show is the flagship event for the Shire Horse Society – the charity that works to protect and promote the breed.
As well as showing classes over three days, the event features trade and other stands, stable tours and children’s entertainment.
Tickets for adults are £10 in advance or £12 on the gate. Ticket prices for children aged five to 13 years are £8 in advance, or £10 on the gate. Family tickets (two adults and two children) are £32 in advance or £40 on the gate. Under fives are free. Car parking is £2, payable on the day only.
For more information and tickets please visit: www.shire-horse.org.uk/national-show.
Picture courtesy of Real Time Imaging.
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