Organisers of the world’s largest gathering of Shire horses are offering free admission to children on the final day of the show.
The event – which takes place indoors at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire Showground, from 20th to 22nd March – is a fascinating and fun day out for all the family.
Watch as the gentle giants of the horse world are put through their paces in hand, in harness and in ridden classes. There’s also the chance to see these magnificent horses up close in their stables as they are prepared for the show and to learn more about what it takes to breed and rear a champion.
New for this year are horseshoe-making and shoeing demonstrations, plus a mini museum showcasing horse-drawn vehicles and implements.
Billed as the largest gathering of Shire horses in the world, the annual National Shire Horse Show attracts more than 200 horses from across Europe.
The event is organised by the Shire Horse Society – the only charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the Shire horse – and this year the charity has decided to offer free admission to children aged between five and thirteen on Sunday 22nd March when accompanied by an admission-paying adult. Under fives are free over all three days.
“Shire horses are a breed at risk, with fewer than 300 foals generally registered in the UK each year, and one of our roles as the Shire Horse Society is to promote these incredible animals and ensure that they have a bright future,” said Victoria Clayton, secretary of the Shire Horse Society.
“It’s important that we educate the younger generations about our native British breeds in the hope that they will share our passion to protect them. We decided this year that we would open our doors for free on the final day of the show to youngsters, when accompanied by an admission-paying adult, to give them the chance to experience the sights and sounds of our annual show.”
The event provides something for all the family with trade stands running alongside the showing classes.
The show is returning to Staffordshire Showground for the fifth time with ticket prices remaining the same as last year. They are available discounted in advance from the Shire Horse Society’s website.
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.
Perfect 10 PR is a Nottingham-based PR agency specialising in foodservice and construction public relations.
Photo by Real Time Imaging