THANKS to sponsorship from Lowe Refrigeration, there will be at least one donkey display per day on the first three days of next week’s Balmoral Show with donkey games taking place in the Main Arena on Saturday.

Chief steward for the section, Amanda Wallace told the Irish Horse World that between 12 to 18 donkeys of all sizes and various breeds will take part in the displays of vintage carriages and farm implements which have been so well-received by show visitors in the past.

“The show organisers are keen to promote Saturday as a family-friendly day and asked us if there was something different we could do for that,” continued Amanda. “So, we are staging donkey games which will be a bit different from the Pony Club games but we hope are no less exciting. One of the obstacles will be a clothes line with washing hanging from it. We will have 15 riders taking part from the age of four up to a special needs competitor aged 20.”

Event riders who compete in the Northern Region will recognise Amanda as she is often on duty as call-up steward for the show jumping rings along with her sons, Robert and Tristan.