Main Arena

Atkinson Action Horses (Two Sessions Each Day)

Benjamin Atkinson and the Action Horse Team present to you a Celebration of the Horse!

Power and grace in the dance of dressage and the explosive airs above the ground made famous by the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.

And breath taking Liberty. The silent art of compassion and connection as horses perform with absolute freedom in a finale to move the soul and inspire the mind.

Cossack trick riding adds adrenaline, acrobatics & speed to this stunning show.

A team of riders, trainers and performers with credits on the silver screen pale into insignificance as they stand beside these magnificent animals.

A true celebration of the Horse.

Demo Ring

Atkinson Action Horses will also deliver live demonstrations within a smaller ring, giving visitors the exclusive opportunity to learn more about how the horses are trained, handled and cared for.

Grand Parade Of Livestock (Each Day)

The Royal Three Counties Show is one of the largest livestock and equine shows in the UK and features the largest collection of rare, minority and native breed animals in the country.

Each day, a ‘Grand Parade’ of magnificent animals take to the Main Arena from 3:45pm , providing visitors with a fantastic chance to get a good look at some of the finest livestock from across the country. Don’t worry if you’re a livestock novice – commentators will guide you through each of the breeds on display.

Sunday is still a Rare Breed Focus Day and will still largely highlight the rare and minority breeds within the Grand Parade on that day, although these breeds will be shown and paraded throughout the long weekend.  The crowing of the champion of champions from within this collection also takes place.

The Red Devils (Fri & Sun, weather permitting)

Jumping out of an aeroplane isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but anyone can enjoy the courageous and skillful display put on by the Parachute Regiment Freefall Team, The Red Devils. Free falling at speeds of up to 120mph, with spectacular canopy formations, you’ll be wowed by this jaw-dropping display! The Devils jump between 1.35pm  and 2pm weather depending, making it the perfect lunchtime entertainment.

Machinery Demonstrations

Celebrity guests and knowledgeable experts take to the main arena to discuss the latest and greatest in the machinery world. 2025’s guests presenting the machinery demo were Kaleb Cooper and Ally Hunter Blair.

Prince Philip Cup Pony Club Mounted Games 

A selection of the top Pony Club teams, all under 15-years old, from across the country take part in thrilling fast paced relay races involving props, such as flags, balls, buckets and bottles, and obstacles, such as bending poles, to increase the difficulty and maximise the fun. The competition is based on historic cavalry techniques and tests riding ability and teamwork.

Heats will be held Saturday and Sunday, with the final taking place on Sunday afternoon.

The show provides the opportunity for teams to practice before their regional competitions and the prestigious championship at the Horse of the Year Show, which was won by local branch North Herefordshire Pony Club in 2022, 2023 and 2024! Seven of the top teams in the country will battle it out for the Pony Club First Class Images Trophy this year.

Scurry Driving (Saturday and Sunday)

Scurry driving is must watch spectacle that will have you on the edge of your seat! Carriage drivers of all ages carefully direct two ponies at full gallop through pairs of cones set out to form a twisting course.  Drivers and their ponies compete against each other to get the fastest time possible in small and large breed categories. Winners will qualify to go to the Horse of the Year Show.

NEW Private Driving Championships and Concourse D’elegance Driving

These classes were a new display in the main arena in 2025 and took place from 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

Concourse D’Elegance means ‘Competition of Elegance’ and began in Paris with aristocrats parading their horse-drawn carriages on Summer weekends, making these classes a spectacular watch to round off the show weekend.

Two And Six Fence Challenges

Competitors jump two or six fences set in a straight line with an increasing level of difficulty – each fence being higher than the one before it.

After every round in which a competitor goes clean, the two or six fences are raised for each subsequent round until there’s a winner. It’s seriously gripping stuff, especially the bars are raised after each round.

Heavy Horse Competitions

Rarely will you see so many enormous gentle giants in one place. They will compete in ridden, turnout and harnessed agricultural and trade competitions within the Main Arena. Some of the classes provide a ticket to the Horse of the Year Show to the winner.

Other Equine Showing Classes

Other equine showing classes held in the Main Arena in 2025 included:

• Mountain & Moorland Lead Rein (HOYS), Mountain & Moorland First Ridden (HOYS) followed by CHAMPIONSHIP
• Lightweight Hunter (HOYS), Middleweight Hunter (HOYS) and Heavyweight Hunter (HOYS) CHAMPIONSHIP
• Lightweight Ridden Cobs (HOYS) and Heavyweight Ridden Cobs (HOYS) followed by CHAMPIONSHIP