The Princess Royal met sheep, ponies and their owners at the Three Counties Showground when she visited two events on Wednesday.

The Princess was at the National Pony Society's championships as society patron and also dropped in on the Malvern-based National Sheep Association's biennial event, Sheep 2006.

NSA chairman David Smith said it was delighted to introduce her to a wide range of people working in the sheep industry, from young shepherds to scientists at the cutting edge of new technology.

"We were very impressed at her deep knowledge and understanding of agriculture and the wider rural sector and her interest in current issues, including making access to all consumers, a consistent supply of high quality locally-produced food," he said.

Events at NSA Sheep 2006 included Young Shepherd of the Year Award, English Shearer of the Year and the Tornado Wire Fencer of the Year competition, as well as a stock judging competition, fleece competition and working sheep dog sale.

Wearing a tartan jacket and beige skirt, the princess walked around the whole show and chatted with many competitors and stall-holders, after driving her own Land Rover to the showground.

As she keeps Wiltshire Horn sheep herself, she had great interest in the specialist stands and seemed to be keen to learn from farmers such as Lolo Owen, who keeps a herd of Easy Care sheep.

He joked meeting him was quite an honour for the Princess and said she asked him a lot of intelligent questions about his flock.

Sheep 2006 attracted visitors from across the UK and more than 100 international guests from as far a field as Russia, New Zealand, Australia and America.

The Princess went on the visit competitors at the National Pony Society Championships, presenting an award to winner Camilla Jackson on Havana Masterpiece.