HEAVY Horses from all parts of the UK will be making their way to Abergavenny’s Bailey Park on Saturday, July 7th, offering the public the chance to get up close and personal with these gentle giants at the 36th Shire and Miniature Horse Show.

Weighing in at over a ton and with the tips of their ears more than eight feet from the ground, Shires are the prop forwards of the horse world - the titans whose size takes the uninitiated by surprise.

Heather Robertson of Cross Ash, Abergavenny will be attending the show with her Suffolk Punch, Yasmin. She told the Chronicle, ‘I first showed Yasmin as a yearling at the show in 2013; at the time I was 17 and the heavy horse world was a completely new to me and my family.’

‘I was pretty much learning with Yasmin on my own from knowing how to plait a Suffolk Punch to showing. It’s been quite a journey over the last 6 years that Yasmin and I have been together.’

Society president, Leslie Moulden said, ‘The Show will be a qualifier for the Shire Horse of the Year Show which will be held in Birmingham later in the year. We have 48 shires entered in Abergavenny and also 20 miniatures.’

Leslie, 88, has been a member of the Society for 29 years and president for the last eight. He said, ‘There is a tremendous amount of work involved in preparing a horse for showing. Just as an example, it takes eight hours work to polish the brass on one set of harnesses.’

In addition to a plethora of Punches and a cornucopia of Clydesdales, visitors will be able to enjoy a vintage vehicle show, trade, craft and catering stands. pony rides and entertainments throughout the day.

Heather added, ‘South Wales Shire Horse Society is all about horses, no matter the breed of heavy horse. We have all got that love and passion for our horses. It’s a great thing to be part of.’

The Shire and Miniature Horse Show takes place on Saturday, July 7th. Entrance is £6 for adults (£3 concessions) with under 12s going free.