New venue, new format for Shire Horse Society National Show 2016

Picture by James Bedford

The world’s largest gathering of Shire horses returns for 2016 with a new venue and a new format.

The Shire Horse Society’s National Show 2016 will be run over three days, instead of two, and will be staged at Staffordshire County Showground from 18^th to 20^th March.

Expected to attract around 200 horses from across Europe and visitors from around the globe, the show has moved its ridden classes to the Friday afternoon due to the growing popularity of this section of the event.

The Friday classes will feature dressage and concours d’elegance to highlight the grace and elegance of the gentle giants of the horse world. These will be the opening classes of the show, which is the flagship event of the year for the Shire Horse Society - the only charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the Shire horse.

The show is also moving to a new home this year – Bingley Hall in the centre of Staffordshire County Showground - to cater for increasing visitor numbers to the show, who are keen to support the iconic breed which a few decades ago was in danger of dying out.

Shire Horse Society secretary David Ralley-Davies said: “Our National Show has been steadily gaining in popularity again recently and we wanted to ensure that everyone who wants to go gets the chance to attend, hence the decision to move to a bigger and more central venue for 2016.

“Bingley Hall will also provide additional facilities for exhibitors and their horses, such as indoor stabling for the majority of horses being shown. We are looking forward to welcoming many new visitors, as well as our loyal followers and our members, to the showground.”

The Shire Horse Society, which is based at Rockingham Castle on the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire border, has signed a five-year deal to stage its National Show at Bingley Hall – starting in 2016.

The show, which has been held at a limited number of venues in England over its long history, 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 1880, when the charity was named the English Cart Horse Society.

The first qualifier of 2016 for the Horse of the Year Show, the event features three days of competition and classes, with horses shown in-hand, ridden and in harness. It will also include stalls and exhibitor stands for the public to browse.

Tickets are now on sale via the Shire Horse Society’s website www.shire-horse.org.uk Follow the charity on Facebook or Twitter - https://www.facebook.com/shirehorsesocietyhttps://www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety and @saveourshires

The event takes place from noon to 6pm on Friday 18^th March, from 8am to 6pm on Saturday 19^th March and from 8am to 4pm on Sunday 20^th March 2016.

Tickets cost £4 in advance and £5 on the gate for Friday 18^th March. Tickets in advance are £8 for adults and £6 for under 12s and seniors, and £12 for adults and £10 for under 12s and seniors on the gate, on Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20^th March.

Entry is free for Shire Horse Society members.

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World’s largest gathering of Shire horses event – date for 2015

The world’s largest gathering of Shire horses will take place on the weekend of March 21^st and 22^nd 2015, it has been announced.

The Shire Horse Society’s Annual Show, which attracts horses from across Europe and spectators from around the globe, is being held indoors at Arena UK, near Grantham, in Lincolnshire.

Around 250 Shire horses are expected at the event and it is billed as the best display of Shire horses in the country. 

“The Shire Horse Society’s Annual Show is the perfect place to see these magnificent gentle giants of the horse world and find out more about the breed,” said Shire Horse Society secretary David Ralley-Davies. 

“It’s the largest event of its kind in the world, and is the chance to celebrate a breed that was once in danger of dying out but is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, both as a working animal and a riding horse, thanks to a dedicated group of enthusiasts who work hard to ensure that the breed survives.”

As well as the competitions, there will be a range of stands and stalls for visitors to explore.

The annual show, taking place at its new home at Arena UK for the second time, is the opportunity to find out more about this noble breed, see Shire horses shown in style - in-hand, ridden and turned out – and to support the work of the Shire Horse Society, which is the only charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the Shire horse. Since 1878 the organisation has been working to protect the breed, which was then known as the Old English Breed of Cart Horse. 

The show runs from 8am until about 10pm on the Saturday to include the championship in the evening. It will be open from 8am until 4pm on the Sunday. Adult day tickets cost £8 in advance, with under 12s and seniors £6, and are available from sales.webticketmanager.com/ShireHS Day tickets will be £10 and £8 on the gate. Free admission to Shire Horse Society members on presentation of their society badge.

Sponsors for the event include botanical brewers Fentimans, Fullers Brewery, Young's Brewery, Boldscan and Fosters Foods.

For more information visit www.shire-horse.org.uk or follow the charity on Facebook or Twitter - www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety and @saveourshires
Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Shire Horse Show in Staffordshire

Up to 100 Shire horses will be taking part in the Midland Shire Foal Show being held in Staffordshire later this month – and the public are being invited along to find out more about the historic breed. 

The event is run every year by the Midland Shire Foal Society, which was founded in 1959. Initially the show attracted entries from across Staffordshire and Derbyshire, but today it appeals to Shire horse owners from around the country, and horses and foals are expected from as far away as Devon, Cornwall, Yorkshire and Norfolk. 

Taking place on Saturday 20^th September at Field House Equestrian Centre, Marchington, near Uttoxeter, the event also encourages the next generation of Shire horse showmen and women. It hosts the final of the national Young Handler of the Year Competition, and the 20 young people under the age of 18 taking part have been qualifying over the past year for the chance to win the title. 

As well as the opportunity to see Shire horses being shown, there is also an auction of Shire horse harnesses and memorabilia, which is being run by Derby auctioneers Derby Market Auctions and takes place at 10am. 

“It’s very much an enthusiasts show but if you like Shire horses there’s a lot to see,” said society chairman Jim Yates, who breeds award-winning Shire horses at his farm near Duffield in Derbyshire. “Last year marked the 55^th time the show has been held, and it’s a key date on the Shire horse showing calendar. It’s a way to promote and preserve this majestic breed of horse, and we would welcome anyone who is interested in finding out more about Shire horses.” 

The event, which costs £5 admission, begins at 9am and culminates with a horse sale at 1pm.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/midlandshirefoal?fref=ts

Press release issued by Louise Duffield at Nottingham PR agency Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Meet the Shire Horse Day at Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire

Visitors have the chance to find out more about the gentle giants of the horse world when Croots Farm Shop stages a Meet the Shire Horse Day later this month.

The event at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, takes place on Sunday July 17th.

The farm has been home to Shire horses for around 45 years, and has bred many award-winning animals. Foals born at the farm have moved to countries all over the world.

The event, which runs from 11am to 2pm, features plaiting displays and the chance to talk to Shire horse owner and judge Jim Yates to find out how the horses are cared for. There will also be horse-related activities for children.

“There’s something quite special about Shire horses. Many of our customers love them and often ask questions about them when they come to the shop,” said Steve Croot, who runs Croots Farm Shop. “We thought it would be nice to have a day where visitors can get to know some of the horses and foals that live at the farm and learn more about them.

“Shire horses have been in the family for generations and have lived at Farnah House Farm for decades. Jim is renowned in the world of Shire horses, and has judged at Shire horse shows in many different countries.”

Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen is open Sundays from 10am to 4pm (café until 3.45pm), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (café until 4.30pm). It is closed on Mondays.

For more information visit www.croots.co.uk

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