THE Royal Ulster Agricultural Society has announced the addition of several new classes to the 2024 equine prize schedule for Balmoral.

In the Equine Prize Schedule, exhibitors will find details of two new Ridden Mountain and Moorland classes, one for small and one for large breeds.

These are numbered classes 70 and 71; 70 being for small breeds (registered Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland, Welsh A & B ponies not exceeding 138cm) ridden by riders who have attained their seventh birthday by January 1st and 71 being for large breeds (registered New Forest, Welsh C & D, Highland, Fells and Dales not exceeding 148cm) ridden by riders who have attained their 12th birthday by January 1st.

Within the Performance Irish Draught classes, Class 1 or Class 2 approved stallions are now eligible for entry.

This year, the young Connemara in-hand class for fillies and geldings will now accept entries of three-year-old as well as two-year-old ponies, and there has been a new donkey class added to the schedule.

The Traditional Working Donkey class welcomes entries from mares or geldings, aged four and over, shown with farming implements.

Full details on all new and amended classes can be found in the Equine and Livestock Prize Schedules section online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk. Entries were opened last Wednesday, February 21st, and will close on March 20th.

The Balmoral Show, in partnership with Ulster Bank, will return to the Eikon Exhibition Centre showgrounds from Wednesday, May 15th, to Saturday, May 18th, 2024.

For the latest updates on the show, visit www.balmoralshow.co.uk or follow Balmoral Show on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.