Rising popularity sees horse show move to Staffordshire County Showground
An event expected to be attended by around 200 horses from across Europe and visitors from around the globe has been moved to Stafford as its popularity increases.
Organisers behind The Shire Horse Society's National Show have moved the event from Arena UK in Grantham to the Staffordshire County Showground this year due to an increase in demand. The exact location of the show will be Bingley Hall, at the centre of the County Showground, with the hope that hundreds of people will turn out to support the iconic breed which was in danger of dying out just a few decades ago.
It is set to take place from noon to 6pm on March 18, 8am to 6pm on March 19 and 8am to 4pm on March 20.
Shire Horse Society secretary David Ralley-Davies said: "Our National Show has been steadily gaining in popularity again recently and we wanted to ensure that everyone who wants to go gets the chance to attend, hence the decision to move to a bigger and more central venue for 2016.
"Bingley Hall will also provide additional facilities for exhibitors and their horses, such as indoor stabling. We are looking forward to welcoming many new visitors, as well as our loyal followers and our members, to the showground."
The Shire Horse Society, which is based at Rockingham Castle on the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire border, has signed a five-year deal to stage its National Show at Bingley Hall starting this year.
The show is believed to be one of the oldest horse shows in the world, having been held for the first time at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London, in 1880.
Tickets are now on sale via the Shire Horse Society's website www.shire-horse.org.uk with costs ranging from £4 to £12 depending on the date.
