The Royal Three Counties Show, the largest livestock and equine show in England, featuring one of the country’s biggest exhibitions of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, including rare and native breeds, returns to Three Counties Showground in Malvern from 14 – 16 June 2024, with a host of special guests and unique animal encounters to keep visitors of all ages entertained.
BBC Countryfile and The One Show presenter, Matt Baker MBE, will be participating in two Q&A sessions on Saturday 15 June at the Future of Farming theatre and also at the Food and Drink Theatre, while fellow BBC Countryfile presenter John Craven OBE will take part in a Q&A session followed by a book signing on the Sunday. JB Gill – JLS band member, CBeebies presenter and farmer – will be sharing his thoughts and experience of farming at the Future of Farming Theatre on Sunday, followed by a book signing. Families can enjoy an engaging live reading of his charming book ‘Ace and the Animal Heroes’, followed by a chance to meet JB and get a signed copy of his book, at the Smallholders Theatre. Matty Edgell – winner of Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off in 2023 – will put his skills into action on stage at the Food and Drink Theatre, as well as answering questions from the audience and signing copies of his latest book, on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 June.
British livestock is an integral part of the Royal Three Counties Show (which has been taking place for over 100 years now), and this year’s Show will see no less than 35 showing rings in the Farming Village, featuring some of the country’s finest cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and alpacas. This will include rare and minority breeds, concluding with the RBST (Rare Breeds Survival Trust) Watchlist Interbreed Championship on Sunday 18 June, offering a fascinating insight into the conservation and preservation of these protected and endangered animals. The ever-popular Grand Parade of Livestock, taking place daily in the Main Arena, remains a highlight of the show, particularly as it often includes multiple generations of farmers and handlers proudly showing their livestock.
Each year, a number of livestock breed societies choose to hold their national breed society show at the Royal Three Counties Show with the aim of promoting their breeds to a wider audience. This year’s Show will host 17 national shows, more than ever before, across sheep, goats and cattle classes.
The new Goat Show will see a variety of breeds compete across all three days, as well as interesting talks and demonstrations around foot trimming, a showing masterclass and opportunities to hear talks by acclaimed judges. The action-packed Sheep Shearing Competitions are not one to miss, with a staggering 2,000 sheep expected to be expertly and efficiently shorn by both novices and more experienced shearers across the long weekend.
The Royal Three Counties Show is nothing short of an equine enthusiast’s dream. This year, a brand-new British Showjumping area, located in the Cotswold Ring, will offer a dramatic spectacle of showjumping classes to entertain visitors of all ages. This year’s Show will also feature a phenomenal 54 prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers, giving visitors a first look at some of the best competitors in the country as they qualify in their classes. On Saturday, Italian equestrian and three-time Olympian, Vittoria Panizzon, will display her expertise and skill in masterclasses and course walks.
On Sunday, the Main Arena will host a new Racehorse to Riding Horse Parade. Visitors can observe magnificent racehorses-in-training and retired racehorses as they proudly parade around the ring, accompanied by commentary from trainers and ambassadors from the charity, Retraining of Racehorses (British Horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing), who will offer an insight into the full life the horses live both during and after their racing career, celebrating the efforts of those who have taken the time to train and reschool these versatile thoroughbreds. The parade will be followed by a championship class for the four classes (two flat and two jumping) that will be held in the equine rings.
More equine skill will be on display on Saturday and Sunday as fast-paced ponies gallop around the Main Arena, when some of the top Prince Philip Cup Pony Club Mounted Games teams from across the country present historic cavalry techniques, in the form of relay races, with items such as cones, buckets, balls and flags to increase the intensity and demonstrate their skill.
All this, plus the chance to explore the new Grow Your Own and Small Holders village, browse the countryside shopping stalls, enjoy some delicious food and drink and marvel at the thrilling live entertainment (which includes the return of the exhilarating Bolddog Lings freestyle motorcross stunt display team) makes this year’s Royal Three Counties Show an unmissable event this summer.
Advance day tickets to the Royal Three Counties Show cost £23 for adults and children under 16 are free. To book tickets, visit www.royalthreecounties.co.uk/ or call 01684 584 924.
Image: Three Counties Showground
