The Hurst Show this weekend is leading the country by staging the UK’s first Hobby Horse Jumping Championships for its thousands of visitors.
Hurst Show and Country Fayre this weekend decided to pioneer the championships in this unusual sport after hearing it was sweeping Scandinavia.
Show chair Sue Payne said: “We always aim to have exciting and different attractions. The championships will include show jumping and dressage, similar to the Olympics.
“Our teenage ‘equestrians’ will, though, be riding hobby horses like you find in many toy cupboards, rather than real horses.
“They’re much cheaper and easier to look after and open up the sport to everyone.
“The sport is taken very seriously in Finland and has thousands of followers.”
The show is being opened by the village’s own Snow Queen, played by John Lawrence, 46, a Microsoft software engineer of Woodley.
In the panto of the same name at Hurst Village Hall in January the character changed the weather to evil and thrilling effect.
The Snow Queen said before the show: “I’m thrilled to be coming back to Hurst to open the show in a nicely icy style….
“Sadly the weather might be far too warm for my liking, but at least my DEEP FREEZE will keep your precious ice lollies nice and cool.”
Children’s hands on fun will include pony rides, chances to hold an owl and assist Hurst’s own Magic Circle magician Clive Winterton, a rodeo bull, football shootouts, huge tugs of war, face painting and a bouncy castle.
There will be hobby horse events for younger riders as well. Mounts can be borrowed.
The village pubs will compete to win the pubs’ tug of war silver cup.
There are also a fun dog show, exciting arena events including birds of prey and search and rescue dogs, classic cars and motorbikes, ferret racing, an art show and tractor and farm machinery displays.
Local food, craft and plants will be on sale.
A wood turner, saddler, potter, farrier and traction engine owner will demonstrate their skills. Guests can bring their pet to have a go at dog agility and compete in the dog races.
Refreshments are available from the bar, barbecue, tea and strawberries tents. Last year the show raised thousands for St Nicholas Primary School and 23 other good causes and charities.
The show is 10am-5pm both days in School Road, Hurst RG10 0DR. Entrance is free for children 12 and under, carers with CAN cards and well behaved dogs.
Adults are £4 and teens and seniors, £2.
For more details, log on to: www.HurstShow.uk
