South of England Show
Encyclopedia
The South of England Show is a county show held annually at its own showground in Ardingly
, West Sussex
during June.
The show was founded in 1967 and is organised by the South of England Agricultural Society, which is patronised by Queen Elizabeth II. The show attracts nearly 80,000 visitors every year.
contingent, including showjumping, showing
and heavy horse
displays.
The show also includes a large number of trade stands as well as a food hall, flower marquee and crafts. The main arena at the showground hosts a variety of displays from all the disciplines on show, including equestrian, livestock and musical, as well as special display items such as motorcycle displays and a parade of foxhound
s from the local fox hunts
.
Ardingly
Ardingly is a village and civil parish in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty about north of Haywards Heath in the Mid Sussex district of West Sussex, England. The village is about south of London, south-south-west of East Grinstead, southeast of Crawley, north of Brighton and ...
, West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
during June.
The show was founded in 1967 and is organised by the South of England Agricultural Society, which is patronised by Queen Elizabeth II. The show attracts nearly 80,000 visitors every year.
Features
The show still contains its central agricultural theme, with livestock including dairy and beef cattle, sheep and pigs, with thousands of animals on display. The show has grown from its agricultural roots to include a large equestrianEquestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
contingent, including showjumping, showing
Show (animal)
A show is a judged event or display in the hobby of animal fancy or in the occupation of animal husbandry.Shows usually feature the best specimens of purebred animals in a locality or country...
and heavy horse
Draft horse
A draft horse , draught horse or dray horse , less often called a work horse or heavy horse, is a large horse bred for hard, heavy tasks such as ploughing and farm labour...
displays.
The show also includes a large number of trade stands as well as a food hall, flower marquee and crafts. The main arena at the showground hosts a variety of displays from all the disciplines on show, including equestrian, livestock and musical, as well as special display items such as motorcycle displays and a parade of foxhound
Foxhound
A foxhound is a type of large hunting hound. Foxhounds hunt in packs and, like all scent hounds, have a strong sense of smell. They are used in hunts for foxes, hence the name. When out hunting they are followed usually on horseback and will travel several miles to catch their target. These dogs...
s from the local fox hunts
Fox hunting
Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.Fox hunting originated in its current...
.