The Heart of Horsemanship – A Display of True Connection
Prepare to be captivated by a performance that celebrates the art of horsemanship in its purest form. Led by Mia Rodley, the Heart of Horsemanship Equestrian Display Team brings together courage, communication, and a deep connection with horses that goes far beyond training.
Each section of the display showcases a unique and powerful element of the human-horse bond:
- Working at liberty opens the show; horses move at freedom with Mia and Callum. Through join-up, circling, mirroring, and playful interaction, you’ll witness the horse’s willingness to connect – not because they have to, but because they choose to. This is trust and connection made visible.
- Bridleless riding and jumping takes liberty one step further – a breathtaking demonstration of communication through energy, seat, and intent alone. It’s not control that keeps the horse with the rider, but a partnership built on mutual understanding.
- Cossack trick riding brings speed, athleticism, and daring – including drags, vaults, and shoulder-stands at full gallop! Rooted in warrior tradition, it’s a thrilling showcase of bravery and balance.
Roman riding closes the show in spectacular style. Standing astride two horses at liberty, Mia becomes a symbol of total trust and unity – leading not with reins, but with heart.
Horse Boarding
Where: Main Arena
Falconry
Watch these stunning birds of prey as they swoop and soar above the above your heads. Handled by some of the UK’s top falconers, under the leadership of Ben Long Falconry, you will learn how they are flown, used in sport, worked with dogs and you will enjoy out pageant of riders, birds and dogs, all in Tudor costume, and demonstrating falconry on horseback – just as it used to be done.
Again, you are welcome to meet the birds afterwards in the designated Falconry Marquee.
Where: Falconry Arena
Scurry Driving
A timed horse event where competitors run a course with obstacles. The ponies, usually in pairs pull a carriage that is operated by a driver and groom that balances a cart behind the ponies.
The teams take it in turn completing the course that is set inside the main arena.
There are different categories from novice to professional, and different sizes of the ponies.
All have to work together as fast as they can through the obstacles such as cones and gates which are only a few centimetres wider than the carriage.
If an obstacle is knocked or missed then penalty time is added to their overall finishing time. The winner at the end is the team that finishes the fastest and usually the one with the least mistakes.
It’s a fun action-packed event that is well worth watching.
Where: Main Arena
The Stannage Stunt Team
The Stannage Stunt Team will be joining us at The Wiltshire Game & Country Fair with their Motorcycle Arena Display.
Where: Main Arena
Gundogs and Falconry Display
Don’t miss the incredibly synergy of these gun dogs and birds of prey working together. Although the dog is a natural predator to the bird, with Paul Makepeace handling the dogs, and Ben Long handling the birds they work together as dogs and birds did in Tudor times.
Where: Main Arena
Chase The Bunny
A firm Living Heritage Favourite! If your dog loves to chase this could be their moment! Dogs are matched to general size and speed and race to chase the lure around the arena. Great fun to both take part in and to watch – especially when the dogs run in completely the opposite direction, or find a more interesting smell.
Where: Dog Arena
Walk Up Shoot
Have you ever wondered exactly what happens on a shoot? This is your chance to find out. With their team of gun dogs in various stages of training, Paul Makepeace of Trochery Gundogs, and Aubrey Ladyman will be taking us through how the dogs are used at every stage, from beating with spaniels, flushing the birds out, through to pointing and retrieval in a variety of tricky situations. They will also be demonstrating how gun dogs – both Spaniels and Retrievers – are trained.
Where: Dog Arena
Chris Green – Wildfowling
A demonstration of Wildfowling showing all the tricks of the trade to become an expert wildfowler, someone that hunts wildfowl such as geese and wild ducks for game. Chris Green is an all round Countryman with a wealth of experience in hunting all types of game.
He has appeared on a number of TV shows including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s “A Cook on the Wild Side”, and Rick Stein’s “Food Heroes”.
Please beware there may well be a number of loud bangs in his display.
Where: Falconry / Dog Arena
Doggy Dancing Demo Team
Ali Buck & Bodie
I have been competing in dog dancing for about 15 years, my current dance partner is Bodie who is a 3 year old Australian Shepherd x Border Collie. Bodie is exceptionally smart and keen. He is the friendliest dog ever and loves everyone. He’s also very handsome and charming so normally gets what he wants.
He’s currently competing in Intermediate Freestyle and Heelwork ( though he’s likely to be in advanced by August as he is only one win away from being Advanced).
Lorna Hayes and her 6 year old border collie Nora have been competiting in Heelwork to Music Freestyle for 5 years. Together they have won the Crufts National and International Freestyle finals in 2024, earnt Gold for Team GB twice at the European Open Championships in 2023 and 2024 and become Reserve European Champions in the Individual Freestyle.
They were also one of the stars on the Disney documentary ‘The Secret Lives of Dancing Dogs’ which followed their journey to their first Crufts National Freestyle Final in 2023 in which they came 3rd. They have once again qualified for Crufts 2025 for the UK Freestyle final.
They really have had an incredible journey since becoming addicted to the sport in 2019. Their performances are full of fun and truly demonstrates their unique bond that allows them to look like they are dancing in perfect harmony.
Where: Dog Arena
Angling Demonstration
Our angling experts welcome young volunteers to learn about fly casting with our informative demonstrations.
If this grabs your interest, head over to our angling marquee where you can book your own individual tuition or ask any questions of our angling experts from Trout and Salmon Conservation UK
Where: Fishing Arena
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