THOUSANDS of people are expected to flock to Powys for the 2011 annual Royal Welsh Show, which takes place over four days next week at the showground near Builth Wells.
The principal attraction of the 48th show will be the famous horse trainer, Jean Francois Pignon, whose troupe of six horses, with their graceful and amazing performances, have delighted audiences at events across Europe, and this week they will be gracing the main ring of the showground in Llanelwedd.
Jean Francois has gained worldwide acclaim for his ‘Horses at Liberty’ display in which the loose and riderless animals perform many of the classical dressage movements such as the passage, the extended trot and the pirouette.
Honorary Director Harry Fetherstonhaugh said: “We look forward to welcoming him back for what will be his third visit. The previous visits were in the wet years of 2007 and 2009 but, hopefully, this time the weather will be kinder so that we can see him and his horses perform at their very best.”
The other leading attraction at the show this year will be the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motorcycle Display Team, whose extreme stunts and tricks have thrilled audiences around Britain.
The team has the largest and most sophisticated truck and landing ramp in the world enabling the riders to jump gaps over 75 feet wide and reach heights of 35 feet, giving them enough time to perform an array of death defying tricks in mid air.
Bolddog Lings Team Manager and one of the UK’s top freestyle riders, Dan Whitby, said: “It’s more than just freestyle. It’s a non-stop show that will entertain everyone from off-road enthusiasts to the general public. It’s a must see part of any show and is continually growing in popularity as the awareness of FMX increases.”
As usual there will be trade stalls, a sports village, livestock competitions as well as plenty of entertainment at the bandstand such as The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh.
Visitors to the show are being urged to travel by train to avoid possible congestion on the roads approaching Llanelwedd, during the four days of the event.
Arriva Trains Wales will be running a special train from Cardiff linked to a free shuttle bus service that will ferry passengers from Builth Road Station to the nearby showground.
“Letting the train take the strain rather than travelling to the show by car has proved very popular in recent years,” said Royal Welsh Chief Executive David Walters.
“It is a comfortable and easy way to get to Llanelwedd and I recommend it to anyone along the route who would prefer to leave their car at home to avoid the hassle of driving on busy roads.”
Tickets to the show will be available on the gate for each day of the show. Adults will cost £20, Monday to Wednesday and £18 on Thursday, and children cost £4 all week.
Look out for our eight-page show special in next week’s paper.