07/07/2026
We’ve received a number of questions about Equine Influenza and what it means for this year’s New Forest & Hampshire County Show. To reassure exhibitors, competitors and visitors, please see our official statement:
The health and welfare of every animal attending The New Forest & Hampshire County Show is our absolute priority and we want to reassure the public that the Show is going ahead with robust protective measures in place.
Following recent veterinary advice, we have introduced enhanced Equine Influenza requirements for this year's Show, taking place on 28th, 29th and 30th July 2026. Every horse, pony and donkey attending must be fully vaccinated against Equine Influenza, with a booster received within the six months before the Show. No animal may attend within seven days of receiving a vaccination. These measures that go beyond the standard requirements of most equestrian governing bodies.
These requirements are backed by rigorous checks on arrival. Before any animal is unloaded, our team will verify passports, confirm microchips match each animal and its records and inspect every equine entering the Showground. A signed health declaration must be completed in advance, and owners are asked to check their animals' temperature before leaving home. Any animal showing signs of illness will not travel to the Show.
Any equine arriving without a valid, in-date vaccination record or identifying passport will be refused entry and, importantly, that refusal extends to every other animal in the same vehicle or trailer. These measures are deliberately strict because protecting the wider equine community matters to us.
The Show is a celebration of the countryside and the animals at its heart. By setting a high bar on biosecurity and welfare, we can welcome exhibitors and visitors with confidence, knowing every reasonable step has been taken to protect the equines who join us.
For any enquiries regarding this statement, please contact us at: [email protected]
