Record equine entries received for the 2008 Royal Cornwall Show

By Your Horse

Event diary

13 May 2008 15:33

Horse entries have leapt to a new record high at this year's Royal Cornwall Show. They currently stand at 1,740, including those competing in the inter-hunt relay.

This is the third successive year that the equine section has broken entry records, and reflects the event's continued growth in popularity and reputation in the West Country and beyond. In 2007 the record was set at 1,689, slightly higher than 2006's record total. This year’s numbers have been particularly boosted by the show jumping entries. Other classes growing in popularity are the hunter brood mares, youngstock, pony, coloured horse, anglo- and part-bred Arabs, Dartmoor, miniature and Morgan horses and the Welsh ponies and cobs.

Ann Lee-Shute, of Canworthy Water, near Launceston, has been a regular competitor in the equine classes for the past 18 years. She is a frequent winner and came away with the supreme Welsh pony award in 1994.

Ann, who will be competing with six entries in the Welsh pony classes this year, says, “I would like to think we have a chance of coming away with something. I always like to be in the first three. The Royal Cornwall Show is the highlight of the year and winning something there means people get to know you, which means you hopefully get the interest of buyers.”

One of Anne’s ambitions is to win the cup she donated and which is awarded to the champion Welsh pony each year.

The show takes place at Wadebridge from June 5-7. Full details can be found on: www.royalcornwall.co.uk.