Thanks to two years of fundraising by the Gwent/Monmouthshire Advisory Committee for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society the equine project at the showground in Builth Wells has received a boost of £215,000.

The first stage of the project is now well under way, involving the levelling and terracing of a previously undulating parking field to allow more space for parking horse boxes and caravans. This has mainly been funded by the Society themselves.

The money raised by Gwent will allow phase two to continue after Christmas as soon as weather permits and will be an extended area on which to site the Winter Fair marquee and a further exercise area.

David Morgan MBE, President of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for 2015, said, “We have had two tremendous years of fun and fundraising holding 39 events as well as selling raffle tickets and merchandise at various shows across the area. Other societies within Gwent have also been extremely supportive and my thanks go to them all.”

It is now hoped that other counties within Wales will also support the equine project and that an all-weather surface, extra stabling and potentially a covered arena can also be created over the coming years.