A HORSE race with a twist is coming to a Cotswold town this summer.

September 3 this year sees the return of the Moreton Show, and with it the Shetland Pony Grand National.

With the show just a couple of months away, the festival team is making sure the finishing touches are being made to the timetable and that the mini-jockeys and their steeds are all ready for what proved a popular event last time round.

The junior jockeys tour up and down the country competing at many prestigious events including, Royal Windsor Horse Show, The Game Fair and Badminton Horse Trials.

In this event, the jockeys jump over mini steeplechase jumps in a race to compete for a qualifying place in the grand final at the London International Horse Show in December.

In addition, the mini Grand National will raise vital funds for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, a charity established in 1983 by Grand National winning jump jockey Bob Champion.

Sebastian Garner, director and organiser of the Shetland Pony Grand National, said: "We are naturally delighted to be returning to Moreton Show again this year, the children thoroughly enjoyed the show last year and are looking forward to coming back again."

The Shetland Pony Grand National is just one of many events hosted in the Grand Arena on the day alongside Squibb Motorcycle Stunt Show, Show Jumping classes, and the Livestock Grand Parade. Attractions in the family area include, Welsh Axemen, Clumber Spaniels, and the famous Vintage Tractor display. 

he full schedule can be found here: www.moretonshow.co.uk/visitors/what-to-see-and-do

Esther Watts, attractions secretary, said: "The Shetland Pony Grand National was last year’s highlight of Moreton Show and we’re thrilled that it’s making a comeback for 2022.

"The Grand Arena will certainly be the place to be for unmissable entertainment."