The main Astor ring will feature the Shetland pony grand national on all three show days. The jockeys are children aged between 8 and 13 years old who will be part of a qualifier for the ultimate Shetland pony grand national at the Olympia Horse Show later in the year.
The spectacular sees the children take part in a high speed dash on their pint size Shetland ponies in an event which was first held more than 20 years ago, when it was designed to mirror the famous Aintree race on a miniature scale. Since then it has become a firm favourite with audiences from all over the UK and this year they will be raising funds for the Bob Champion cancer trust. Bob is a sporting legend, the jockey who came back from the brink of death with testicular cancer and went on to win the famous Grand National in 1981 on Aldaniti.
The young riders imitate their older counterparts with full silks and racing colours, albeit their tiny steeds have a maximum height of 42 inches. Spectators will be able to cheer on their favourite horse and jockey during the two and half laps of the ring, incorporating 12 miniature Aintree fences, including the famous Becher’s Brook (the notorious fence at the real Grand National which has a six feet nine inch drop).
Titan the Robot will be back this year in an appearance which has become part of the show over the past decade.
Another new attraction for the 2017 show is the old milk parlour, a vintage dairy display. It gives an insight into how milk was produced and how the milk went from udder to a bottle on our breakfast tables. Visitors will have a real sense of what a working dairy used to be like, including the sounds and smells.
The countryside and game area of the show has grown in popularity over the past five years, with entertainment such as the sheep show and the hawking centre, with their free flying birds of prey. Not to be missed is the dog and duck display in which the collie dog herds the ducks skilfully through a course around the ring. Visitors can also see the terrier team, Harrietsham ferrets, Gamegoer gundogs and enjoy free children’s pony rides.
The online ticket system is now open to buy discounted tickets for the 2017 Show. A family ticket will cost £45 in advance or £50 when bought at the gate. The family ticket entitles two adults and two children aged between five and 15 years a full day entrance. Children under five go free and parking is free. Adult tickets are £20.70 in advance and £23 on the gate, a child ticket is £6.30 in advance and £7 on the gate. The show starts at 8am and stays open until 6pm.
