TOP equestrian competitors and owners from across the country are expected at this summer's Three Counties Show after even more more classes were added to its horse and pony schedules.

There are now no less than 39 Horse Of The Year Show and Royal International Horse Show qualifiers for 2007.

The Three Counties Agricultural Society has added a new Horse Of The Year Show qualifier for ridden mountain and moorland ponies to the three-day show on June 15-17, together with a novice ridden mountain and moorland ponies qualifier for the National Pony Society picton mountain and moorland novice ridden championship.

What's more, exhibitors and competitors are now able to enter classes online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, saving time and postage.

The online entry service went live at the end of March, and includes access to an online list of results for all classes, available at the end of each day of the show.

The society has improved the horse facilities in recent years, including the breaking down of compacted surfaces, the installation of a permanent irrigation system, general stable block maintenance and new fencing for the warm-up area.

Horse entries for last year's show were the highest on record at 2,500 and reflect the ongoing programme of improvements. Work continues with resurfacing the road from the main entrance and refurbishing the toilet facilities.

Society press officer Sharon Gilbert said: "Malvern is fast becoming recognised as one of the top competitive venues in the country.

Equine events are a regular feature of the society's annual calendar, so it is important that we continue to meet the high standards we have set ourselves.

"Equestrian visitors certainly seem to welcome our efforts to keep facilities in tip top condition, and to host new qualifiers each year, and we very much hope to see yet another increase on last year's record-breaking entries."

Entries for the 2007 Three Counties Show close on April 24. To enter online, go to www.threecounties.co.uk and click on Online (Home Page).