The Shire Horse Society has revealed that its National Shire Horse Show will return to Newark in 2023 after a successful event at Newark Showground in March this year.
The show, which is the world’s largest gathering of Shire horses, 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 the charity was named the English Cart Horse Society.
In 2022, it was held in Nottinghamshire for the first time and organisers have decided to return to the venue in 2023 – giving Shire horse enthusiasts the chance to compete in a range of different classes, and visitors the opportunity to see the gentle giants of the horse world in all their finery.
The event will take place on 11th and 12th March 2023 and tickets will go on sale in early Autumn.
Secretary of the Shire Horse Society and Show Director Victoria Clayton said: “After a two-year gap due to the pandemic, it was great to be able to run our show at Newark Showground in 2022. It was very successful, and we’ve decided to return to the showground next year. We’re currently planning a few additional tweaks to make it even more fun for families to join us to help celebrate this magnificent breed of horse.”
The National Shire Horse Show is the flagship event of the Shire Horse Society, the only charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the Shire horse. Only a few decades ago, the breed was in danger of dying out. It has experienced a resurgence in recent years, but it is still on the Rare Breed Survival Trust’s endangered breed list, with fewer than 300 pedigree Shire horse foals born in the UK every year.
The show generally attracts competitors from across the UK and Europe, and visitors from around the world. Competitors take part in classes, showing their horses in-hand, in-harness and ridden. There are also stalls, activities and other entertainments to add to the event.
Victoria Clayton added: “We were made very welcome in Nottinghamshire in 2022 and we are looking forward to returning next year, even bigger and better. Shire horses are amazing animals and we are so grateful to all our supporters who help us to help this breed, which has played such a huge role in the history of Great Britain.”
For more information about the Shire Horse Society and the show, visit www.shire-horse.org.uk
Photo: Real Time Imaging