29 March, Edinburgh – Livestock and equestrian class entries for the Royal Highland Show open this week (Thursday 31st March).  

Entries will open online for Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Heavy Horse, Light Horse, Private Driving, Harness Grooming & Decoration, Heavy Horse Turnouts and Fleece classes. 

Entries for Farriery, Poultry, Sheep Shearing & Show Jumping classes will open on Thursday 7th April. All entries can be made at www.royalhighlandshow.org. 

This comes as organisers the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) gear up to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Royal Highland Show, with 2022 marking the first time a full Show has taken place since 2019. 

To celebrate the bicentenary, a range of special commemorative rosettes, prize cards, sashes and medals will be awarded this year – including medals with gold finishing, a change from the usual bronze version awarded in other years. The magnificent Fletcher McDiarmid Trophy, an incredibly ornate and historic award, will also return this year to be presented to the Overall Beef Champion. 

This year, two new sheep classes for Dutch Spotted and Valais Blacknose were announced, as well as two new equestrian classes, Maxi Cob of the Year Championship and Mountain & Moorland Junior 122cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year. This is in addition to a number of classes being upgraded to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier status. 

In 2021, competitor-only event the Royal Highland Showcase was held while covid restrictions prevented a full Show taking place. It saw footage of livestock classes livestreamed to 97 countries around the world. 

RHASS Competitions Manager, David Tennant, commented: 

"This year will be the first time we have held a full Show in three years, so we have no doubt competitors will be eager to fully experience the incomparable atmosphere of the Ingliston showground once again. 

"The addition of new classes and the 200th anniversary celebrations only add to the excitement, and the whole team is very much looking forward to seeing the showground come to life again this June." 

Supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, the Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, on 23-26 June 2022. 

Tickets, including for car parking, must be pre-purchased online this year and no tickets will be available to buy on the gate. Tickets are limited in number this year with sell out days anticipated, so it is advised to purchase early. For further information and to purchase tickets please visit www.royalhighlandshow.org.