There’s something wonderfully timeless about a summer agricultural show: the scent of fresh hay, the chorusing of livestock, the prize-winning produce.
This August, the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show promises to pair that cherished tradition with a thrilling twist, as one of the world’s most exhilarating sports gallops into Dorset.
Returning to Turnpike Showground, Motcombe on Wednesday and Thursday, August 19 and 20, the show continues its long-standing celebration of farming, food and countryside life.
This year, all eyes will be firmly fixed on the Dorset Life Main Ring, where the electrifying spectacle of horseboarding will make its debut.
Horseboarding is not for the faint-hearted. The world’s sixth most extreme adventure sport, it fuses riding skill with high-speed precision.
Teams of three – horse, rider and mountainboarder – work in perfect synchronisation as they tackle a fast-paced obstacle course.
The rider guides the horse, while the mountainboarder, tethered by a quick-release line, weaves through a series of gates with split-second timing.
It’s a sport where trust is everything and a single misjudgement can bring a run to an abrupt halt.
Its arrival in North Dorset adds a fresh burst of adrenaline to an event best known for its deep rural roots.
Show organiser Cat Harris said: “It’s a natural fit – a bold, contemporary attraction that sits comfortably alongside the traditions that visitors return for year after year.”
And those traditions remain at the heart of the show. With roots stretching back to 1860, when the Gillingham Agricultural Society was first established, and strengthened through its partnership with the Shaftesbury Farmers Club in 1930, the show has long been a cornerstone of the local calendar.
Today, it stands as one of Dorset’s most established and well-loved celebrations of agricultural life. Across the showground, familiar favourites will once again draw the crowds.
The ever-popular Shetland pony racing brings speed and smiles, while terrier and ferret racing results in hilarious antics!
The family dog show invites visitors to bring along their own four-legged companions, and equine enthusiasts can enjoy Dorset Polo Club’s demonstrations, including a lively three-a-side chukka.
Beyond the main ring, there is much to explore. The Heavy Horse Village showcases the strength and beauty of these gentle giants, while more than 350 trade stands offer everything from artisan crafts to agricultural machinery.
Vintage tractors and vehicles provide a nostalgic glimpse into the past, and the horticultural tent will be brimming with home-grown fruit, vegetables and flowers.
The Cornish Mutual Livestock Grand Parade delivers a tribute to the excellence and dedication of the region’s finest animal breeders – some as young as five.
Food lovers will find plenty to tempt them, with local producers serving up a feast of flavours.
For families, there will be hands-on activities in the Fun, Food and Farming area, such as butter making.
After the government’s VAT cut, adult day tickets are now £17 instead of £20 until August 13. Family tickets
available, under 5’s free!
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is a fundraising activity of Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society. The Society raises money for education around agriculture and farming.
The Turnpike Showground is 79 acres of land spread across four fields located near Motcombe along the Gillingham – Shaftesbury road.
As well as the annual Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, the Showground plays host to a number of events throughout the summer. Previous bookings include a 1000+ unit caravan rally, dog agility camps, car boot sales, equine shows, and weddings.
What do visitors think about the The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show?
Hazel Keen gave it a rave review and said: “Thoroughly enjoyed the show and it was lovely to find that the children had so much to keep them interactive.
“Particular favourite was the opportunity to sit on all those lovely tractors without being told to get off and don’t touch!
“The Young Farmers tent was also a great place for fun and learning. Milking cows, doing puzzles, bandaging a pretend sheep and sticking an injection in its plastic bum … well you can’t beat it!”