IF YOU want your best beast to compete at the first full-scale Royal Highland Show since lockdown, get ready to claim a place, as entries open tomorrow, Thursday March 31st!

The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland has announced that it is to start taking online entries for Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Heavy Horse, Light Horse, Private Driving, Harness Grooming & Decoration, Heavy Horse Turnouts and Fleece classes.

While there is no such thing as a bad year to win a Royal Highland prize, 2022 promises to be extra prestigious, as it marks both the 200th anniversary of the show, and the first full show since 2019.

To celebrate the bicentenary, a range of special commemorative rosettes, prize cards, sashes and medals will be awarded at the event, being held at Ingliston, on June 23 to 26, including medals with gold finishing, a change from the usual bronze version awarded in other years.

The ornate and historic Fletcher McDiarmid Trophy will also return this year to be presented to the Overall Beef Champion.

Two new sheep classes, for Dutch Spotted and Valais Blacknose, have been added, as well as two new equestrian classes, the Maxi Cob of the Year Championship and Mountain & Moorland Junior 122cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year. A number of other equestrian classes have been upgraded to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier status.

RHASS competitions manager, David Tennant, commented: “This year will be the first time we have held a full Show in three years, so we have no doubt competitors will be eager to fully experience the incomparable atmosphere of the Ingliston showground once again.

“The addition of new classes and the 200th anniversary celebrations only add to the excitement, and the whole team is very much looking forward to seeing the showground come to life again this June.”

Entries for Farriery, Poultry, Sheep Shearing & Show Jumping classes will open next week, on Thursday April 7. All entries can be made at www.royalhighlandshow.org