ENTRIES for the main sections of the Royal Highland Show opened this week.

On Wednesday the book opened for beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, heavy horse, light horse, private driving, harness grooming and decoration, heavy horse turnouts, fleece classes, farriery, and sheep shearing. Show jumping entries will open later in April.

In a further announcement, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) revealed a 25% increase in prize money across classes.

New for this year, the Scottish Dairy Goat Show will run on the Saturday of the show, this is in addition to the RHS goat classes on Friday. There are also additions to equine classes across the board, including a new driven heavy horse qualifier and new intermediate show hunter and show riding types, lead rein and first ridden pony, Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers. This brings the total number of HOYS qualifier classes to 57 for 2023.

The coloured horses and ponies in hand section has moved to the Thursday of the show, allowing the champion to be included in the supreme in-hand championship on the Friday.

Following meetings with APHA, RHASS have taken the decision to cancel the poultry competition at this year's Show. This is due to the ongoing high prevalence of avian flu in Scotland.

RHASS head of show, David Tennant, commented: “Last year, we saw the phenomenal return of the Royal Highland Show, with competitors delighted to experience the atmosphere of the packed Ingliston showground once again. This year there is a lot of cause for excitement too, with the addition of the Golden Shears, new HOYS qualifiers and of course an increase in the prize pot on offer.

READ MORE: Royal Highland Show organisers rebuff calls for it to 'go vegan'

“The whole team are looking forward to seeing the best of the best paraded around the rings once again this June, representing the culmination of months or even years of hard work for competitors. Best of luck to all those competing this year!”

Sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, the Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, on 22-25 June 2023.

Tickets, including for car parking, must be pre-purchased online, with no tickets available to buy on the gate. Tickets are limited in number and with Friday and Saturday selling out in 2022, it is advised to purchase early, especially with the new addition of the Royal Highland Hoolie music event on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th this year.

* All entries can be made via the Royal Highland Show website: www.royalhighlandshow.org.