Main Arena

The Main Arena is at the heart of Royal Three Counties Show and the place to watch thrilling displays, family entertainment, informative demonstrations, livestock and equine competitions and the Grand Parade of Livestock.

BOLDDOG LINGS FREESYTLE MOTOCROSS STUNT DISPLAY TEAM

We’re pleased to announce that the Bolddog Lings FMX Team will be joining us in the Main Arena at the 2024 show!

As Honda’s official and the UK’s number one motorcycle display team, the Bolddog Lings team base their display around the world’s largest and most sophisticated mobile landing system.

The display features the UK’s top ranked freestyle motocross riders, incorporating the latest heart stopping tricks as usually only seen on TV. The team set the standard 12 years ago and now continues to push the boundaries of FMX and lead the way for all motorcycle display teams.

The team also provides an informative on board commentary by the riders even talking to the crowd while performing a trick flying 35ft in the air.

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, providing visitors with a fantastic chance to get a good look at some of the finest livestock in the UK. 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 (Each day, 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!

MACHINERY DEMONSTRATIONS

Celebrity guests and knowledgeable experts take to the main arena to discuss the latest and greatest in the machinery world. Check back soon for our 2024 celebrity updates!

PRINCE PHILIP CUP PONY CLUB MOUNTED GAMES (Saturday & Sunday)

A selection of the top Pony Club teams, all under 15-years old, from across the country will 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 and the final will take place on Sunday afternoon.

The show will provide 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 and 2023!

SCURRY DRIVING (Saturday & 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.

RACEHORSE TO RIDING HORSE (ROR) PARADE (Sunday)

Magnificent races horses in training and retrained racehorses will be parading around the Main Arena to showcase the fact they can live a full life both during and after their racing career. Racehorse trainers and ambassadors of the ROR charity will be adding a running commentary to the parade.

It will be a great opportunity to celebrate the efforts of those who have taken the time to train and reschool these versatile thoroughbreds.

The parade will be followed by a championship class for the four (two flat and two jumping) classes that will be held in the equine rings.

TWO AND SIX FENCE CHALLENGES

Competitors will 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 that will be held in the Main Arena will include:

• 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