The Percheron - a heavy horse breed with its roots in medieval France and Arabia, but only introduced into Britain less than 90 years ago - is to stage its own National Championships at the 2004 Royal Show.

This is one of a number of new innovations in the equine classes at the Show, which also sees an open multiples class for the Withers LLP Coaching Marathon section.

"Having the National Championships at the Royal Show complements our existing Royal Bank of Scotland Heavy Horse section. And by using the Royal Show's dedicated equine display arena, the Percheron Society has been able to schedule in new classes," says Royal Show organiser, Debbie Dann.

"This will be the first year that these championships have included two new ridden classes for pure and 50% part-bred Percherons." Adding: "We're expecting as many as 40 animals to compete in total."

Also starring at the Show, but not competing, will be Doug Joiner and purebred Percheron Ella. The pair will be demonstrating the role of horse logging in the Show's Forestry and Woodland area using techniques employed today to manage environmentally sensitive woodlands.

The Percheron Horse originated in the area known as "La Perche" in the north west of France. Here in 732 AD, Arabian horses, abandoned by Moors after their defeat in the Battle of Tours were crossed with the massive Flemish stock and from this cross came the Percheron type which has endured for twelve centuries.

During the Crusades, further infusion of Arab blood was made; Arab sires procured in the Holy Land were bred to the Percheron. In the early nineteenth century the French Government's Stud at La Pin introduced further Arab blood into the Percheron breed by covering selected mares with two Arab sires.

Now all contemporary Percherons share this common heritage descending from the foundation stock that originated in La Perche.

The Royal Show takes places at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire July 4-7 2004. Now in its 166th year, the Royal Show attracted 160,000 visitors and around 1000 exhibitors in 2003. Ticket hotline: 0870 3666 544 or visit ww.royalshow.org.uk. Advance rates start from £12.50 (adults) and concessions at £9.00.

NATIONAL PERCHERON CHAMPIONSHIPS CLASS SCHEDULE

Monday July 5th 2004 judging to commence at 09.30.
Judges: In hand, Mr D. Thomas, Devon; ridden, Mrs Sue Tutcher,
Warwickshire.

Class 1 Gelding 4 years old and over
Class 2 Gelding 3 years old and under
Class 3 Barren mare 4 years old and over
Class 4 Brood mare with foal at foot
Class 5 Colt or filly foal
Class 6 Yearling colt, filly, or gelding
Class 7 2 year old filly
Class 8 3 year old filly
Class 9 Supplementary registered mare
Class 10 Mare or gelding not exceeding 16.2 HH
Special 1 junior female champion
Special 2 Supreme female champion
Class 11 Young handler 12 - 18 years of age
Class 12 2 year old colt
Class 13 3 year old colt
Class 14 stallion 4 year old and over
Class 15 Non-competitive stallion premium
Special 3 Junior male champion
Special 4 Supreme male champion
Class 16 Harness in hand
Class 17 Pure bred ridden Percheron
Class 18 Part bred (50%) ridden Percheron
Special 5 best shod horse
Special 6 best braid
Special 7 most points award

Cups and trophies

Suffolk meat traders Champion gelding
Roger Clark cup Gelding 3 yrs old and under
J. L. Moore Yearling colt
Vaux silver challenge Under 16.2hh 3 yrs old and over
Vaux gold tankard Mare and foal
Pengo rosebowl Champion foal
Utting cup Filly 3 yrs old and under
Sir Harry Hague cup Female champion
Hayyez tankard Supplementary mare
S. Peacock Young handler
C. A. Jacobs Junior stallion
Society perpetual cup Champion stallion
R. Gowing silver shoe Best shod feet
Lynside feeds cup Best braided
Stewards trophy Tidiest stable area
Goldsmith trophy Most points gained
Tisdale cup In-hand harness
T. Workman cup Single horse turnout
Flitwick cup Single farm turnout
Chivers cup Pair turnout
Mayors cup 3 or 4 horse teams

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