Tens of thousands flock to Royal Three Counties Show 2024

The Royal Three Counties Show had visitors queueing to get through its doors to enter competitions, shop, meet celebrities and learn something new about farming and agriculture.

Quinn Arrowsmith feeds the alpacas with the help of her uncle Joel Green. (Image: Newsquest) At the heart of the Three Counties Showground, the main arena hosted livestock parades, the Red Devils parachute display team, and the Bolddog Lings FMX Team performing motocross stunts.

Elsewhere, guests could enjoy falconry displays, meeting alpacas, and pole climbing.

WOW: Guests watched in awe of Bolddog Lings freestyle Motorcross stunt display team. (Image: Three Counties Show) Among the visitors, the show had its fair share of celebrities who visited across the weekend (June 14 to 16).

Amazon Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm star, Kaleb Cooper, ran a Q&A with his fans at the event and also hosted a book signing. 

WELCOME: Kaleb Cooper had left his home in Chipping Norton to be at the show. (Image: Three Counties Show) The show also had BBC Countryfile and The One Show presenter Matt Baker MBE, who did a Q&A and was joined by his fellow BBC Countryfile presenter, John Craven OBE.

Pop fans may have also been surprised to see former JLS band member JB Gill, who is now a CBeebies presenter and a farmer.

YUMMY: Ryan, Cobie, Lucy and Leo Burchell enjoying a spot of lunch. (Image: Newsquest) Alice Arnold, show lead for Royal Three Counties Show at Three Counties Showground, said: "This weekend we have seen competitive livestock classes and action-packed equine rings, something for everyone in the Main Arena, and a chance for visitors to immerse themselves in everything the countryside has to offer.

SWEET TREATS: Jenny Kennedy works at the show's Vintage Tearooms. (Image: Newsquest) “With over 150 activities to enjoy across the site, and no charge for under 16s, we’re proud of what’s on offer for families at Royal Three Counties Show.

"It’s a full day out celebrating the very best of rural life with everything from goats and alpacas to pole climbing, farriery and the exhilarating STIHL Timbersports Championships”.

BEACH DAY? Ella and Leah Dale enjoyed building sandcastles at the show. (Image: Newsquest) Over 6,000 animals had been part of the weekend's events which gave lots of opportunities for guests to encounter them. 

In the Farming Village, 120 breeds of animals participated in nearly 900 classes across the weekend in a bid to be crowned winners.

TIME TRAVEL: Jake Keogh was showing guests old-fashioned ways of making benches. (Image: Newsquest) Meanwhile, an estimated 2,000 sheep were sheered as part of the Sheep Shearing Competitions this weekend alone.

This year’s show featured 54 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers, giving visitors a first look at some of the country's best competitors as they qualify in their classes.