Dozens of Clydesdale horses, the giants of the equine world, will put their best hooves forward at the National Museum of Rural Life at Kittochside, East Kilbride this Sunday 19 July when they take part in the attraction’s annual Heavy Horse Show.
Over 100 horses will be on show, ranging from majestic Clydesdales and hardy Highland ponies to tiny Shetlands and a number of donkeys.
The Clydesdale is an iconic symbol of Lanarkshire and was originally bred for agriculture and coal haulage. Sunday’s Heavy Horse Show at the Museum will see some of the finest examples of the breed compete for top honours in a number of classes including Turnout (riding with carriages), and the Clydesdale Ridden class.
Visitors to the family-friendly event will have the opportunity to ride one of four beautiful Clydesdale horses from Blackstone Farm in Ayrshire. There will be face-painting for children as well as mini-rosette making craft sessions and the chance to see the National Museum of Rural Life’s Clydesdale horses Mairi and Anna at the attraction’s historic working farm, where they live alongside prize-winning Ayrshire cows, Aberdeen Angus cattle, Tamworth pigs, sheep and chickens.
Shirley Maciver, General Manager, National Museum of Rural Life, said;
“Our Heavy Horse Show is one of the most popular events in our annual calendar and a wonderful opportunity to see a spectrum of Scottish horse breeds, from large to very small, all at one time and all groomed to perfection. The stars of the Show will be the beautiful Clydesdales and we know that our visitors will enjoy seeing at first hand the incredible size and power of this iconic breed.”
The Heavy Horse Show at the National Museum of Rural Life takes place on Sunday 19 July from 10am until 5pm. Tickets cost: Adult £8 Conc £7, Child £4.50 (under 5s free). Family ticket £23.00 (2 adults and 2 children). Tickets include Museum admission. Tickets can be booked online at www.nms.ac.uk or by calling 0300 123 6789.
The National Museum of Rural Life is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm.
Note to Editors
National Museums Scotland looks after museum collections of national and international importance and provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
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