Competing at the Autumn Show & Horse Trials
The Autumn Show & Game Fair and the South of England Horse Trials are once again joining together creating one fantastic event that attracted more than 18,000 attendees in 2023, and is back for 2024.
South of England Horse Trials
The event comprises of various national levels up to Intermediate as well as The Novice Masters Series on Sunday. The courses run across the Showground and adjoining farmland and have new fences for 2024. Three separate tracks for BE100, Novice and Intermediate are suitable for young horses. Intermediate has a good variety of solid well-built fences. All showjumping will take place in the main Ardingly ring with John Farrell as course designer. Overall course designer is Scott Brickell.
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For more information about competing, please visit the South of England Horse Trials Competitors page.
For the competitor schedule and to enter please use the link below. Entries open 19th August.
Horticulture competitions
If you know your apples from your pears or are partial to an onion, then why not take part in the South of England Agricultural Society’s Horticulture Competition? Competitions are open to children and adults and cost £1 per class to enter.
Whether you are an individual or part of a horticultural club, society or group, everyone is welcome to take part.
Click here for Tips for Showing.
If you would like to take part, please email your completed entry form by 16th September to info@seas.org.uk or post it to:
Horticulture Committee Secretary
South of England Agricultural Society
Selsfield Road
Ardingly
West Sussex
RH17 6TL.
In 2024 the National Vegetable Society’s National Championships will also be held at our Autumn Show. If you are an NVS member click here to find out more about entering.
NEW National Vegetable Society
Held regionally each year, the Autumn Show & Horse Trials will be hosting the 2024 National Vegetable Championships, with competitors from all over the UK. Find them in the Abergavenny Building. Click here to find out more.
South of England Honey Show
Bees & Honey are at the Autumn Show! This is a unique opportunity open to associations, their members and individual beekeepers.
- Competition judged by Clare O’Brien, National Honey Show registered judge
- Hone exhibit preparation ahead of Local, County or the National Honey Show
- Cash prizes for each class
Trophies awarded to the winner of Class 1, the ‘Bounty from the Hive’ and for ‘Most Points in Classes 2 to 15’.
Why not get together with your fellow members to register entries on behalf of your Association or Division?
The show schedule for 2025 will be available soon.
For enquiries and information, please email beesandhoneyinfo@gmail.com.
Help as a Show Steward for a day on honey sales and information stands – email chief.steward@deodar.org.uk.
To sponsor class prizes or for other sponsorship opportunities contact the treasurer via email at chief.steward@deodar.org.uk
Women’s Institute Entries
The WI competition is open to any WI member from West Sussex or East Sussex and is a great opportunity to ‘shop window’ WI skills and talents to the general public. Classes include co-operative cookery, a decorated gingerbread house, novelty Christmas jumpers, embroidery, making a child’s toy, and more, this year within the theme of ‘Ready, Steady, Christmas’.Â
The closing date for entries is Thursday 1st August. You can view the competition schedule and find information on how to enter using the link below.
Sussex Coast Rabbit Club Show
The Sussex Coast Rabbit Club Show is a popular fixture with a variety of competition categories. To enter the pet classes for rabbits and cavies (guinea pigs) please book your pet in 5 days prior to the show by contacting Sam Turner on 07394 295567 or email sussexcoastrabbitclub@gmail.com. The entry fee is £2 per animal to be paid on arrival, with rosettes for all and another for best adult pet, best child pet, and best pet in show. Please bring water bottles, hay, feed/forage and bedding for the show pen.
Read our reviews
Here are some of the things people are saying about us.
Good to see the south of England Show back. A great day out, shows, animals, and plenty of stalls.
Dog friendly & some tasty snack / food to be had. Terrific venue.
Peter Langbridge
Just been to the South of England show. Had an amazing time in the sunshine. Lots to see and do and something for everyone. My son thought the stunt bikes where awesome!!!
Mark Leppard
Great fun! Music from the Casablanca Steps, Shetland Pony Grand National, lots of nice farm beasts. More good shops than last year. A few more plants & poultry would be good.
Clare Salmon
Great venue for country shows and the shows are top quality too.
Vicci Gunstone
Easy parking which was free. Entrance price very good. Sellers did not mark prices too high. Huge varieties, from babies, children, adults and a good variety for animals. Cash and card available. A lovely Christmas atmosphere was created.
Julie Fairfowl
A great family day out, lots to see (farm animals, horses and dogs) and buy (plants, clothing and a huge variety of produce).
Carolyn Waters
Charity of the Year
Find out more about our current Charity of the Year, Veterans’ Growth:
