All creatures great and small - Aldershot Army Show 4-5 July

19 Jun 09

There is plenty for equestrian enthusiasts at the Aldershot Army Show on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July.

With a Shetland Pony Grand National and a spectacular performance by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, there really is something for everyone.

The Shetland Pony Grand National takes place at 11am (on both days) packing in all the excitement of a day at the races – with colourful silks, flying manes, tails and the roar of the crowd!

The Shetland Ponies and their young jockeys, all aged between 9 and 13, come from across the country and will be competing to qualify for their place at the London International Horse Show in Olympia.

The build up to the big race is just like the real ‘Grand National’, with the jockeys parading the miniature ponies around the showground before mounting their steeds and being led down to the start. Once ‘their off’ they race for two and half laps, over 12 mini fences.

On a grander scale, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will be performing an exhilarating musical drive at 2.30pm (on both days). The display includes 74 horses, 56 soldiers and six 13lb field guns.

The gripping display of horsemanship to music includes daring high-speed turns and crossovers with the magnificent horses at full gallop. As a spectacular finale, the troop take the salute and fire the huge field guns.

The Aldershot Army Show takes place on the Queen’s Parade in Aldershot, Hampshire with an impressive line-up of attractions including; The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Freefall Parachute Display Team, the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team, military displays and all the way from America, Cannonball Man. There are also many family activities such as circus workshops, hovercraft rides, bungee launcher, dodgems, a children’s farmyard and more 200 traders and exhibitors.

The show is organised by the Army in partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council and sponsored by Aspire Defence. Its aim is to showcase the modern Army, to provide a fun, community event and to celebrate Aldershot's military heritage. It also highlights the strong partnership between the Council, the Army and Aspire Defence.