Malvern’s most beloved annual family event returns to Three Counties Showground this summer with more celebrity guests and farmyard friends to delight animal lovers of all ages. Hailed as one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of the great British countryside, the Royal Three Counties Show offers three days of animal encounters, spectacular displays and expert agricultural insights from 16 – 18 June 2023.
Well-known TVpresenter and Cotswold farming royalty Adam Henson returns as show ambassador to regale visitors in the Farming Village, where more than 6,000 animals will feature, with the crowning of cattle, sheep, goat and pig champions across 900 classes, over 50 rare and minority breeds (the UK’s largest collection) and 15 national breed shows.
The Future of Farming Zone, will welcome returning Clarkson’s Farm funnyman, author and cider connoisseur, Kaleb Cooper, on Saturday 17 June; adding to its line-up of informative talks, Q&A sessions, on topics such as careers in agriculture, diversification and insights into the latest cutting-edge technology in food and farming.
Kaleb Cooper commented: “Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern is one of my favourite events in the farming calendar. To talk all things farming and, of course, indulge my passion for farm machinery, is the perfect way to spend a weekend.”
Other special guests confirmed for the weekend include award-winning food writer, Mark Diacono, hosting the Food & Drink Theatre, Suki Pantal, aka Suki’s Curries and Spices, sharing ‘the real taste of India’ and Phil Vickery MBE DL, ex England rugby captain, Gloucestershire farmer and winner of Celebrity Masterchef. Rising social media star and Weir End Farmer, Ally Hunter-Blair will also be making an appearance at the show.
Encompassing eight spacious grass rings in the Equine Village, as well as the Main Arena, the Royal Three Counties Show is nothing short of an equine enthusiast’s dream. From fast and furious scurry driving and breath-taking showjumping, to exceptional horse and pony showing classes spanning in-hand shires, ridden hunters, retrained racehorses and mountain and moorland ponies – and 51 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers – there’s so much squeezed into just three days.
Not forgetting fast-paced ponies bounding around the Main Arena on Saturday and Sunday, when some of the top Prince Philip Cup Pony Club Mounted Games teams from across the country present historic calvary techniques, in the form of relay races, with plenty of props and obstacles to increase the intensity and fun. Plus, the farrier championships will be hotly contested, where sparks will fly as farriers from across the UK craft different types of horseshoes and shoe horses and ponies against the clock.
If you’re looking for a more up-close-and-personal introduction to our equine friends, Pony Clubs from across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire will offer interactive demos and activities on pony care in the all-new Stable Yard. There will also be opportunities to learn about different equestrian careers.
A sure-fire family draw, the more intimate displays within the Countryside Arena will welcome the return of Rosie’s charming mini pony show and the exhilarating Hawkeye Falconry display, and play host to sheepdog and gundog demonstrations, magnificent heavy horses and a have-a-go fishing skills area. The popular Fur, Feather and Farm area is a family favourite,complete withfriendly alpacas and goats and information about the amazing role bees play in our ecosystem and how they produce honey.
Livestock is a huge part of the Royal Three Counties Show and, this year, there will be no less than 35 showing rings featuring some of the finest cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and alpacas in the country. In addition, the National Rare and Minority Breeds Show on Sunday 18 June offers a fascinating insight into the conservation and preservation of these animals, while the ever-popular Grand Parade, taking place daily in the Main Arena, is a highlight of the show, particularly as it often includes all generations of farmers showing their livestock.
Tickets are on sale now, costing just £23 in advance and children under 16 are free of charge. To see the full programme and book tickets visit www.royalthreecounties.co.uk or call 01684 584 924.