Heavy horses, miniature ponies, hounds and farriery demonstrations form an exciting new attraction at the upcoming Royal Welsh Winter Fair at Llanelwedd on November 24 and 25.
Visitors to this year’s Winter Fair at the Royal Welsh Showground can look forward to a brand-new feature area celebrating some of the countryside’s most iconic animals.
A dedicated area in the Farriery Pavilion will showcase magnificent heavy horses alongside the Hound Show, which will be held in a marquee nearby.
Building on the hugely popular Heavy Horse Village introduced by Caernarfon’s ambassador Rhys Griffith at this summer’s Royal Welsh Show, this exciting, new feature will include live farriery demonstrations and impressive displays, creating a must-see attraction for all ages.
The event will also mark Rhys’ final event as ambassador before the next feature county takes over in December.
The heavy horses, featuring the Gentle Giants and Robinson’s Shires, will take centre stage in the Farriery Pavilion. Once essential to agriculture, transport and even warfare, these magnificent animals played a pivotal role in shaping Britain’s rural economy.
From pulling ploughs and timber to transporting goods along canals and roads, heavy horses, including breeds such as Shires, Clydesdale and Suffolk Punch, were the driving force of rural industry.
Today, while their working role has declined, they remain powerful symbols of heritage and are much-loved in showing, leisure and tourism. With all three breeds now classed as at risk of extinction, their inclusion at the Winter Fair is an important reminder of their contribution to our rural past and the need to preserve them for the future.
Adding a delightful contrast, miniature horses will also be on display alongside their giant counterparts. Standing under 38 inches tall, these small but strong horses are known for their gentle nature, intelligence and versatility, often trained as therapy or guide animals.
Rhys, who runs the family’s Trem-y-Wyddfa Stud in Llanberis, said: “It’s been fantastic for me personally to have had the heavy horses at the Spring Festival, the Royal Welsh Show and now at the Winter Fair, rounding off both my year as ambassador and Caernarfon’s feature county year.
“It’s also a great opportunity to promote the return of heavy horses to next year’s Royal Welsh, following the wonderful feedback we’ve received from members and visitors.
“The ‘little and large’ comparison at the fair will be quite a display. I hope the children visiting will go home with lasting memories and, perhaps, one day be inspired to own a shire horse.”
The Hound Show, taking place on Monday only, will proudly showcase some of Wales’ finest hounds and celebrates an important part of the nation’s rural heritage.
The show brings together local hunt packs from across Wales to compete in various classes for Welsh Hounds, Hill Hounds, English Hounds and Fell Hounds, each demonstrating unique strengths and characteristics.
The event helps to preserve traditional knowledge and appreciation for the working hound, whose endurance and resilience remain symbolic of countryside life.
On Tuesday only, the Farriery Pavilion will host live horseshoe-making demonstrations at 10am and 12pm. These sessions, led by skilled farriers, will focus on the craft of shaping and forging shoes.
Farriers play a vital role in maintaining equine health, working closely with vets and owners to keep horses sound and comfortable. The trade dates back centuries to the early blacksmiths and remains a cornerstone of equine care today.
