SCHOOL’S out for summer – so it must be time for the New Forest and Hampshire County Show.

About 100,000 people set on having a great time will be heading for the showground at New Park, between Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst, today, tomorrow and on Thursday.

Essentially a country show – on a grand scale – the main focus is on farming, equestrian events and country pursuits.

But it also takes in crafts, cooking, cars, countryside issues and 1,001 other cracking entertainments, exhibits and events.

Show society chairman Geoff Morgan said: “I think there will be something for everyone at this year’s show.

“We have a very busy programme as usual.

“We have already sold an enormous number of tickets, but we are hoping desperately for young people to come along.

“There is so much for them to learn here.

“The weather forecast is not too bad but it could change. We have got meaures to take if that happens, but we will never cancel – the show will go on.”

The West Ring is the centre of equestrian events on all three days with competitions starting at 8.30am and continuing until the early evening.

Events range from decorous side-saddle riding, through course building demos to the helter skelter of scurry racing and the tension of the New Park Events Ltd Stakes, and an International Trial starting at 3.30pm on Thursday.

There are also four Horse of the Year Show qualifying events, two today and two on Thursday.

The East Ring today features the thrills and spills of the Pony Club Mounted Games followed by the Hunter Championship.

Heavy horses take centre stage when they pull gleaming drays and other commercial wagons around the East Ring in the Ringwood Brewery-sponsored musical drive. It’s a spectacle not to be missed.

After that, at 1pm, there is one of the main attractions – the rush and roar of the Jamie Squibb Motorbike Stunt Display Team. If you miss this display there’s a chance to see it again at 3pm today, at 1pm and 4.45pm tomorrow, and at 2.30pm and 4.45pm on Thursday.

One of the highlights of the East Ring tomorrow will be the grand parade at 3pm.

And on Thursday, biggest crowd-pleasers look like being the coaching and multiples, including the horn-blowing championship, heavy horse championship and supreme harness championship.

Show Rings One and Two and the North Ring have full programmes of equestrian events.

There are three full days of competition in the cattle and sheep lines.

Country pursuits will take pride of place in the Dudley Forwood Arena, though there will also be a parade of Labrador rescue dogs and a drug dog display.

Other events there include ferret racing, terrier racing, a parade of hounds, fly casting competition, falconry and fish and game cooking demonstrations.

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