Organisers of the annual Dorset County Show are buzzing as they gear up to hold qualifier classes for the London International Horse Show this September.

It’s a historic first for the 183-year-old Dorset event, which becomes one of only 45 county and agricultural shows across the UK to host the initial rounds for a new series of Showing classes in the run-up to the December finals in London.

Show organiser James Cox said: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded the chance to host qualifiers for the London International Horse Show’s rising equestrian stars.

“It’s wonderful to be able to bring this new element of one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious equine events to our historic show.

“Equestrian showing of this calibre promises to be exciting viewing for audiences of all ages.”

James and the team will be working alongside the British Show Pony Society (BSPS), the British Show Horse Association (BSHA), and the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO) to bring the show to life.

They’ll need to organise 20 different classes, covering everything from Hacks and Riding Horses to Coloured Ponies and Cobs, in time for the big event.

Credit: Peter Nixon

Paul Cook of BSPS added: “One of the reasons for launching this new series was to bring showing to a wider audience and increase the number of agricultural and county shows that hold equestrian classes, which has sadly been diminishing in the last few years.

“These shows between them have an audience of over half a million, which definitely helps us to achieve our aim.”

The Dorset County Show takes place on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September 2023, with equine entries open until 17 August.

• Tickets are £19 for adults and children go free. Find out more at dorsetcountyshow.co.uk