More than 800 horses and 1,000 riders will head to the Moreton Show as the show's equine classes become more popular than ever.
Riders and their horses will head to the showground in Moreton-in-Marsh on Saturday, September 7, to compete in almost 70 classes in six show rings.
As the equine classes continue to grow, the show has appointed a new horse section secretary for this year's show.
Jess Parkes has joined the Moreton tean, taking over from Liz Day, who ran the equine section for 14 years.
Jess, a mum of two from Upper Rissington, said: ‘I’m thrilled to be working at Moreton Show. I’ve shown Cotswold sheep at the show in the past and I’ve always loved the event.’
The Moreton Show horse classes attract top riders from all over the country, with some classes being final qualifiers in the race to compete at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show at the NEC in Birmingham in October.
Jess said: ‘Our show gets more popular every year so it’s vital for competitors to sign up early to avoid disappointment. We are so proud that we attract so many keen equestrian sports people.’
The show classes, where horses are judged on their appearance, movement, grooming and overall look are some of the most keenly fought equestrian competitions in the UK.
In show jumping, new classes for this year include a clear round competition and a senior 1.25m open jumping class.
Moreton Show will also see a Six Bar Challenge in the Grand Arena, a heavy horse parade and the Pony Club Mounted Games, where young people compete in a series of fast and furious challenges.
‘We’re known as a big horse show for riders from all over the country but we also want to make sure that our Gloucestershire riders have plenty of competition fun too," Jess added.
"That’s why, this year, with Class 1, the four and five year-old novice ridden hunter and Class 18, an open novice hunter competition, we’ve made them unaffiliated classes, which are ideal for our local riders."
This year’s Supreme Horse and Pony Championships will be judged by the 1995 Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning racehorse trainer, Kim Bailey and Lady Mary Dulverton, whose family own the Batsford Estate - the site of Moreton Show. Meanwhile, Lady Mary’s husband, Lord Michael Dulverton will judge the children’s mounted fancy dress.
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