BE A WINNER IN THE FASHION STAKES - 11/06/2009

Forget Ladies’ Day at Ascot – come to the South of England Show at Ardingly and dress to the nines.

Hats and heels will be the order of the day on June 11 when the Show will host Dress Up Thursday to mark the 2009 theme “The Year of the Racehorse”.

Ladies are invited to put on their finery and sport fancy hats, with a special prize awarded to the best dressed lady on the showground.

The competition is sponsored by Absolute Brighton magazine and editor Verity Craig will be the main judge, awarding prizes across two categories; ‘Experienced & Gorgeous’ and ‘Youthful & Delectable’.

Winner of the Youthful & Delectable category will be rewarded with a mid-week stay in luxurious, boutique hotel Blanche House in Brighton as well as a complimentary Premier Enclosure Badge to Plumpton Races. While the Experienced & Gorgeous winner will receive a VIP package for Plumpton Races Ladies Day on Sunday 20 September as well as a complimentary Premier Enclosure Badge that can be used on another occasion.

Society Director Deborah Barber said: “Dress Up Thursday fits perfectly with our celebration of racing in general and the racehorse in particular. We wanted to have some fun in the spirit of one of our most enjoyable sporting pastimes, and hope lots of ladies will take up the sartorial challenge.”