Sunday 30th & Monday 31st August 2026
Leicestershire County Show Heavy Horse Show 2026
A celebration of strength, skill and countryside heritage
The Heavy Horse Section for 2026
We’re delighted to introduce the Heavy Horse section for the 2026 Leicestershire County Show. Across the Bank Holiday weekend, visitors will be able to enjoy the power, patience and presentation of Britain’s traditional working breeds, from in-hand classes and young handlers through to ridden horses, harness and driven turnouts.
Note from the show For those attending The National Summer Show At Rockingham Castle.
For anyone thinking of visiting us after attending the 2026 National Summer Show at Rockingham Castle on Thursday 27th August, our site will be open from 9.00am on Friday 28th August.
You are very welcome to make a weekend of it, with a bar and evening catering available from Saturday 29th August onwards.
Shire Horse Society Affiliation
The Sunday Shire Horse classes are affiliated to the Shire Horse Society and will be judged by Mr J W H Burks of Market Rasen, Lincs, who is listed on the Shire Horse Society Official Panel of Judges.
The Shire Horse Society offers a Silver-Plated Spoon and Rosette for the Best Mare or Filly exhibited in the Shire classes.
Awards are subject to the Shire Horse Society’s special conditions. The winner must be a member of the Shire Horse Society, and the winning animal must be registered or eligible for registration in the Stud Book or Grade B Register. The judge may withhold the award if an exhibit does not show sufficient merit.
Heavy Horse Entries Closed
Entries for both days of the 2026 Leicestershire County Show Heavy Horse Show are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who entered. We look forward to welcoming exhibitors and visitors to the show.
Sunday 30th August 2026
In-hand and harness entries
For in-hand classes, young handlers, matched pairs and working harness entries.
Fees: £10 per in-hand or harness class. Young Handler is free.
Monday 31st August 2026
Ridden and driven entries
For ridden Heavy Horse classes, Agricultural Implements, driving, carts and turnouts.
Fees: £10 per ridden or agricultural implement class. £15 per driven turnout.
The Showground
Gallowfields Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7QB
2026 schedules
The Sunday and Monday Heavy Horse schedules remain available below for reference.
Weekend Programme at a Glance
Sunday 30th August
In-hand, harness and young handlers
- All horses on the showground by 8:00am; judging starts at 9:30am.
- Ring 1: Shire Classes 1-6, followed by the Shire Championship, then Class 7 Best Matched Pair In-Hand and Class 15 Young Handler.
- Ring 2: Percheron, Suffolk or Clydesdale Classes 8-13, followed by the Ring 2 Championship.
- Main Ring: Class 14 Working Harness immediately before the Grand Parade.
- Grand Parade and principal presentations at approximately 3:00pm.
Monday 31st August
Ridden, driven and agricultural classes
- All horses on the showground by 8:00am; judging starts at 9:30am.
- Ring 1: Classes 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16.
- Main Ring: Class 13 at 11:00am and Class 10 at 2:30pm.
- Grand Parade at the end of the day; ridden-class rosettes will be presented.
Please note: all timings are approximate.
Entry Fees
Heavy Horse in-hand, ridden, harness and agricultural implement classes: £10 per class.
Heavy Horse driven turnout classes: £15 per turnout.
Young Handler: Free entry.
- Appearance Premium -
Harness Appearance Premium: £35 paid to each harness entry that appears before the judge.
Agricultural Turnout Class Appearance Premium: £50 paid to each entry that appears before the judge.
Our Show Judging Team
- Sunday -
Shire Classes – will be judged by Mr J W H Burks of Market Rasen, Lincs.
Percheron, Suffolk or Clydesdale / Ring 2 – will be judged by Mr T L G Henfrey of Greystones, The Common, Crowland, Lincs.
Best Shod – judge will be Tommy Harris DIPWCF of The Rugby Farrier.
Best Turnout Handler & Best Braided Horse – judge will be Mr Stephen James Leadham.
- Monday -
Heavy Horse ridden – judge will be Mrs Julie White, supported by Mrs Bridget Baker as assistant and scribe.
All other classes – will be judged by Mr T L G Henfrey.
Prize Money
Inhand / Harness & Ridden / Driven Classes
1st
2nd
3rd
£30
£25
£20
Young Handler
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
£20
£12
£8
£4
Heavy Horse entries are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who has entered. The Sunday and Monday Heavy Horse entry forms are no longer available.
The Heavy Horse Show will take place on Sunday 30th and Monday 31st August.
Heavy Horse entries are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who has entered. The Sunday and Monday Heavy Horse entry forms are no longer available.
The Heavy Horse Show will take place on Sunday 30th and Monday 31st August.
Heavy Horse
Show 2026
Entries for 2026 are now closed.
Celebrate the power, pride and enduring heritage of Britain’s traditional working horses at the Leicestershire County Show.
See them at the show
30–31August 2026
Make a Bank Holiday weekend of it.
Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August 2026 · Gates open 9:30am
Still coming to the show?
Explore the published programme for each day and make plans to enjoy the Heavy Horse Show as a visitor.
Sunday 30 August
In-hand, harness and young handlers
View the Sunday programme, class timings and ring information.
View Sunday scheduleMonday 31 August
Ridden and driven turnouts
View the Monday programme, class timings and ring information.
View Monday scheduleUseful information
A Celebration of Heavy Horses
Heavy horses are part of the living heritage of the British countryside. Their power, temperament and presence make them a favourite with visitors, while the care and skill of their handlers, riders and drivers show just how much tradition and craft sits behind every class.
In-Hand, Harness, Ridden and Driven
The confirmed 2026 section runs across two days, with in-hand, Young Handler and harness classes on Sunday and ridden, agricultural and driven classes on Monday. Full class details and running arrangements are available in the official Sunday and Monday schedules above.
Important Notice: Welfare and Show Rules
All entries will be managed in line with current animal welfare and showground health and safety requirements. Full class details, entry terms and society-specific requirements are available in the official Sunday and Monday schedules above.
Sunday: In-Hand and Harness Classes
Sunday’s confirmed programme begins with Shire Classes 1-6 in Ring 1, followed by the Shire Championship, Class 7 Best Matched Pair In-Hand and Class 15 Young Handler. Ring 2 will run Percheron, Suffolk or Clydesdale Classes 8-13, followed by the Ring 2 Championship. Class 14 Working Harness will take place in the Main Ring immediately before the Grand Parade. Full running and presentation details are available in the Sunday schedule above.
Monday: Ridden and Driven Turnouts
Monday’s confirmed programme includes ridden Heavy Horses, agricultural implements and driven turnouts. Classes 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 run in Ring 1; Class 13 takes place in the Main Ring at 11:00am and Class 10 at 2:30pm.
The Grand Parade takes place in the Main Ring at the end of the day, with rosettes presented for ridden classes only. Full details are available in the Monday schedule above.
Unleash the Fun at the Leicestershire County Show 2026
Join us for two days of countryside entertainment, livestock, heritage displays, food, crafts and family attractions at the Leicestershire County Show 2026. The Heavy Horse section will be one of the highlights of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Already on the roll call.
A snapshot of the breeds and classes currently booked into this year’s Heavy Horse Show.
Sunday: young horses in hand
Class 1 Shire, Suffolk, Clydesdale and Percheron are all represented in the Yearling Colt, Filly or Gelding class.
Sunday: young handlers
Class 15 A Shire entry is currently booked into the Young Handler class.
Monday: ridden Heavy Horses
Class 13 Shire and Suffolk horses are currently booked for the Open Ridden Heavy Horse class.
Monday: turnouts and driving
Classes 11 & 15 Suffolk horses are currently represented in the Heavy Horse Turnout and Open Driving programme.
Make a Bank Holiday weekend of it.
Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August 2026 · Gates open 9:30am