Two farmers’ markets in Staffordshire will welcome gentle giants as part of the world’s largest gathering of Shire horses. Shoppers at Stone Farmers’ Market on Saturday 2 March and Stafford Farmers’ Market on Saturday 9 March will get to meet Shire horses who are helping to spread news about the National Shire Horse Show.
The show, which is the flagship event of the Shire Horse Society charity, is taking place at Staffordshire Showground from Friday 8 March until Sunday 10 March.
Mordearg Pendragon, an 11-year-old grey gelding, will be at Stone Farmers’ Market on 2 March from 10am, with the Mayor of Stafford Borough Councillor Andy Cooper welcoming him at 10.30am. On Saturday 9 March the Hook Norton Brewery dray and Shires Brigadier and Balmoral will be at Stafford Farmers’ Market between 9am and 11am with Councillor Cooper greeting them at 10.30am.
“The National Shire Horse Show is our biggest annual event,” said Victoria Clayton, CEO of the Shire Horse Society. “It’s the opportunity for Shire horse owners to showcase the breed and for members of the public to find out more about these beautiful animals.
“Fewer than 300 new Shire horse foals are registered every year, and the breed is still on the Rare Breed Survival Trust’s endangered breed list, despite seeing a resurgence in popularity in recent years. So it’s so important that we continue work to promote and preserve Shire horses.
Brigadier and Balmoral from Hook Norton Brewery. Credit: Hook Norton Brewery
“We’re delighted to announce that Shires will be attending the farmers’ markets in Stone and Stafford in March to help us to promote our big show. And excited that the Mayor of Stafford Borough will be welcoming us back to Staffordshire. We’re very pleased to be returning to Staffordshire Showground this year and look forward to seeing lots of visitors from Staffordshire and the wider West Midlands.”
The National Shire Horse Show returns to Staffordshire Showground next month for the first time in five years. The expanded event will include 12 new classes, including extra classes for young riders and handlers. There will also be more opportunities to see eye-catching turnout classes.
After a gap in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, the event was held outdoors at Newark Showground in Nottinghamshire but is now returning to an indoor venue at Staffordshire Showground for three days from Friday 8 March to Sunday 10 March 2024.
To find out more and to purchase tickets visit www.shire-horse.org.uk
Lead image of Mordearg Pendragon. Credit: Daydream Equine Art
