PRESS RELEASE –  7TH MAY 2025

SHIRE HORSE SOCIETY

NATIONAL SHOWS 2026

The Shire Horse Society announces that following external factors beyond its control, there will be a change to the National Shire Horse Show for 2026, and beyond.

From 2026, by agreement of Council and the Board, the Shire Horse Society will operate a two-show system.

The first of these new National Shows will be held in March, on the third Saturday, 21st March 2026.  This event will host in-hand classes only.  Meaning geldings, stallions, females, and a young handler class will take place. 

This event will host the National Gelding Championship, National Female Championship and National Stallion title – the coveted King George V and associated Horse of the Year Show qualifiers.

The second event will be in the summer, close to Rockingham in Northamptonshire and will host the turnouts, ridden, agricultural and a usual schedule of in-hand classes including introducing a National Foal Championship.  The date for this is to be agreed with the venue, but it is expected it will not clash with other large county shows.

The Chief Executive Officer, Victoria Clayton said: “This is an unprecedented move by the Society, but a step that shows that the Council and Board are listening to the membership; that is probably overdue.”

Victoria added: “We have enjoyed our time at Staffordshire County Showground and the team there have been first class, but we now look forward to new challenges and opportunities, it is an exciting time for the Society.”

The Shire Horse Society hopes that the membership will embrace the changes ahead.  More details will be announced in the coming months and a lot of thought and background work has gone into this historic decision.

For more information about the Shire Horse Society visit www.shire-horse.org.uk.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

Photographs are available on request. For more information, please contact the Shire Horse Society on 01536 771611.

The Shire Horse Society, whose Patron is His Majesty King Charles III, runs the Save Our Shires appeal. Although experiencing a resurgence in popularity, the breed is still at risk with fewer than 300 new foals registered in the UK each year.

Visit www.shire-horse.org.uk to find out how to support the appeal or contact the charity on 01536 771611.

The charity is based at The Old Dairy, Rockingham Castle and Park, Rockingham, Market Harborough LE16 8TH.

Press release issued by The Shire Horse Society – 7th May 2025

t. 01536 771611          e. info@shire-horse.org.uk     w.  www.shire-horse.org.uk

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