Competing at the Autumn Show & Horse Trials

The Autumn Show & Game Fair and the South of England International Horse Trials are once again joining together, creating one fantastic event that attracts around 18,000 attendees, is back for 2025.

South of England International Horse Trials

The event comprises of various national levels up to international FEI CCI 2* & 3* as well as The HorseQuest Novice Masters Series on Sunday. The cross country phase runs across the Showground and adjoining farmland, introducing new courses for 2025. There are six inviting tracks for BE90, BE100, Novice, Intermediate, CCI-S2* & CCI-S3*. The BE90, BE100 and Novice courses are suitable for young horses. The two international cross country courses are designed by International course designer Adrian Ditcham. All showjumping will take place in the main Ardingly ring with John Farrell as course designer.

For more information about competing, please visit the South of England International Horse Trials Competitors page via the button below.

For the competitor schedule and to enter please use the link below. Entries open 22nd August.

Horticulture competitions

If you know your apples from your pears or are partial to an onion, then why not take part in the South of England Agricultural Society’s Horticulture Competition? Competitions are open to children and adults and cost £1 per class to enter.

Whether you are an individual or part of a horticultural club, society or group, everyone is welcome to take part.

Click here for Tips for Showing.

If you would like to take part, please email your completed entry form by 14th September to info@seas.org.uk or post it to:

Horticulture Committee Secretary
South of England Agricultural Society
Selsfield Road
Ardingly
West Sussex
RH17 6TL.

In 2024 the National Vegetable Society’s National Championships will also be held at our Autumn Show. If you are an NVS member click here to find out more about entering.

NEW National Vegetable Society

Held regionally each year, the Autumn Show & Horse Trials will be hosting the 2024 National Vegetable Championships, with competitors from all over the UK. Find them in the Abergavenny Building. Click here to find out more.

South of England Honey Show

Bees & Honey are at the Autumn Show!  This is a unique opportunity open to associations, their members and individual beekeepers.

  • Competition judged by Clare O’Brien, National Honey Show registered judge Hone exhibit preparation ahead of Local, County or the National Honey Show Cash prizes for each class

Trophies awarded to the winner of Class 1, the ‘Bounty from the Hive’ and for ‘Most Points in Classes 2 to 15’.

Why not get together with your fellow members to register entries on behalf of your Association or Division?

For enquiries and information, please email beesandhoneyinfo@gmail.com

Help as a Show Steward for a day on honey sales and information stands – email chief.steward@deodar.org.uk

To sponsor class prizes or for other sponsorship opportunities contact the treasurer via email at chief.steward@deodar.org.uk

Women’s Institute Entries

The WI competition is open to any WI member from West Sussex or East Sussex and is a great opportunity to ‘shop window’ WI skills and talents to the general public. Classes include co-operative cookery, flower arranging, fancy dress costumes and more, this year within the theme of ‘Alice in Wonderland’. 

The closing date for entries is Friday 1st August. You can view the competition schedule and find information on how to enter using the link below.

Sussex Coast Rabbit Club Show

The Sussex Coast Rabbit Club Show is a popular fixture with a variety of competition categories. To enter the pet classes for rabbits and cavies (guinea pigs) please book your pet in 5 days prior to the show by contacting Sam Turner on 07394 295567 or email sussexcoastrabbitclub@gmail.com. The entry fee is £2 per animal to be paid on arrival, with rosettes for all and another for best adult pet, best child pet, and best pet in show. Please bring water bottles, hay, feed/forage and bedding for the show pen.

NEW! Bench Competition

We are pleased to be adding a new competition to our Autumn Show. This year the competition will require you to build a bench for our Wildflower Garden which is a permanent feature on the showground. The winning bench will be placed in the garden as a new feature.

We are looking for creativity, craftsmanship, attention to detail and overall impression.

The winning bench will then be moved to its permanent location in the Wildflower Garden!

Click the button below to find out more and enter:

Please note that the deadline for entry is the 14 September 2025 and all entries must be delivered to the showground on the 26 September 2025 by 4pm to be included in The Autumn Show 27 & 28 Sept 2025.

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