Malvern Showground, home of the Three Counties Agricultural Society (TCAS), has added an Olympic size arena to its facilities.
The new Ledbury Ring, which replaces the old Ring 5 at the Worcestershire venue, measures 6,500 sq m and is the largest of its kind in the region.
The showground also has four grass rings, 240 permanent stables, a lunging ring and a warm-up area.
Sharon Gilbert of TCAS said: “The Malvern Showground is becoming known as the best equine venue in the area, and we are keen to maintain that reputation, by continually investing in, and developing our facilities.
“Ring 5 was previously separate from our other competition rings, and not very convenient.
“We decided to open up more land at the back of our stables, to create a bigger and better arena.”
The first equestrians to benefit from the new facility will be those competing at the Three Counties Show (17-19 June).
The 2011 Three Counties Show will host in excess of 250 classes and several HOYS qualifiers, including the Cuddy Supreme In-Hand, and is set to attract around 2,800 entries — one of the highest tallies on the show circuit.
