Live Countryside Shows & Demonstrations

If you love the countryside, wildlife, rural skills and outdoor life, the Main Arena at The Game Fair 2026 is where it all comes together. Book Your 2026 Tickets Here. 

Located at the very heart of the show, the Main Arena is the place to experience the sights, sounds and skills that define countryside life. From thrilling competitions to educational demonstrations, this is where visitors can sit back, enjoy the atmosphere and discover what makes rural life so special.

Whether you’re passionate about nature, field sports, working animals or simply enjoy being outdoors, the Main Arena offers something for everyone—and it’s a perfect introduction to The Game Fair, a country side festival.

Discover What’s On: Live Countryside Shows & Demonstrations 2026 Schedule

The Main Arena hosts a full programme of live shows throughout the day, featuring some of the most respected organisations, performers and countryside brands. Many visitors come specifically to see these displays—and often stay far longer than planned.

You can expect:

• Live countryside competitions

• Working gundog and hound demonstrations

• Equestrian displays and pony events

• Falconry and birds of prey

• Animal welfare and conservation showcases (ASA)

• Family-friendly entertainment all day

It’s a fantastic place to relax, learn something new and appreciate the skills that keep the countryside thriving.

We are excited to announce that Animals Saving Animals (ASA) will bring a compelling display to the Main Arena at the forthcoming Game Fair to showcase their vital work protecting Africa’s wildlife.

The display will centre around ASA’s highly trained canine units — dogs and handlers who work in tandem across African conservancies and national parks to intercept poaching threats, track illegal activity and support wildlife protection efforts. As ASA states, their anti-poaching dogs are “a huge force multiplier” in safeguarding species such as rhinos and elephants.

View The 2026 Timetable

Animals Saving Animals at The Game Fair

Visitors will be able to view interactive elements including real-life case-studies of deployments, training footage, and equipment used by the handlers and dogs. They’ll feature stories from sites in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Botswana, where the dogs are integrated into frontline conservation efforts. ASA highlight that the introduction of such K9 units “has been monumental in the reduction of poaching” in locations like Mkomazi National Park.

The aim of the display is two-fold: first, to raise awareness of the scale and impact of wildlife crime in Africa; and second, to illustrate how collaborative, specialist solutions — like the joint dog-handler teams provided by ASA — are helping to protect endangered species and strengthen the frontlines of conservation. We hope visitors leave the arena not just informed but inspired to support efforts that ensure wildlife thrives for future generations.

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View The 2026 Timetable

Charlotte Souto Hill has harboured a lifelong passion for birds of prey. In 2003, Charlotte and her father co-founded CJ’s Birds of Prey, gaining acclaim for their performances at prestigious events such as The Game Fair.

Married to Falconer and Culinary Chef/Lecturer Jose Souto since 2008, they have expanded their endeavours to include organising international falconry festivals, as well as offering bespoke events and educational experience days. TV and filming. For more information, visit cjsbirdsofprey.co.uk

Experience the excitement and laughter of terrier racing, a fast-paced and comical event where energetic dogs dash along a short track, often with amusing twists and obstacles. Terrier racing is all about speed, agility, and fun, making it a hit with both dog lovers and families alike.

In the first part of the demonstration, the display team’s trained dogs will showcase their skills and race the course with precision and flair. After the demonstration, your own dog can join in the fun! All breeds are welcome, whether you have a sprightly terrier, a playful spaniel, or a joyful Labrador. Comical entertainment is guaranteed as dogs of all sizes compete in good spirits and bring smiles to the crowd.

Whether you’re a dog owner or just a spectator, terrier racing is a chance to enjoy a unique, interactive, and laughter-filled experience. Don’t miss the chance to see dogs sprint, jump, and entertain!

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View The 2026 Timetable

SGPN 2024

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View The 2026 Timetable

A high-speed dash, a blur of coloured silks, flying manes and tails and the roar of the crowd, the excitement of a day at the races condensed into Shetland Pony size. The Shetland Pony Grand National is a team of Shetland Ponies and jockeys that race all over the country and at the same time raise money for charity. The Shetland Pony Grand National is a great introduction for children who want to make a career in racing or become a professional or amateur jockey.

Who Can Take Part?

All the jockeys who are racing are between 8 and 14 years of age, are under 5ft in height and are trying to gain one of the 10 places at the world-famous London International Horse Show, which takes place at the Excel Arena just before Christmas.

Why It’s at The Game Fair

The Game Fair celebrates countryside skills, traditions and rural life — and the Shetland Pony Grand National perfectly reflects all three. It brings together:

• Equestrian skill and teamwork

• Family-friendly excitement

• The next generation of countryside participants

• A strong charitable focus

Supporting Charity

This year’s charity is the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. In 2023 the Shetland Pony Grand National team raised £38,000 and so far, the total amount raised for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust is more than £203,000

A highlight of Sunday at The Game Fair will be The Game Fair Inter Hunt Relay – a highly competitive and challenging event and one of the most exciting to watch. It’s a team event, with each hunt team being made up of three riders, including one who must be under 16 years old. They go head-to-head against the clock over a mirror-image course of gates, jumps and hedges requiring accuracy as well as speed, with knockdowns incurring time penalties. The winning team from each heat progresses to the next round, with the course often being made more challenging as the tournament nears the final.

The Inter Hunt Relay, which is popular across the country, is returning to The Game Fair, where it presents a whole new set of challenges for hunt riders. During its summer season, you may be surprised how fiercely competitive things get!

View The 2026 Timetable

INTER HUNT 2024

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The origins of the Pony Club Mounted Games can be traced to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, who conceived the event in 1957 to foster the training and development of young riders. Mounted Games is a team sport that combines a love of ponies and friends with various races.

Teams of four or five riders and ponies take part in a series of exciting and exhilarating races that involve a mix of turns, handovers, skill, vaulting and galloping against other teams. Often run on grass or all-weather surfaces, Mounted Games is an adaptation of Gymkhana and is great fun for you, your pony and your team.

Riders can develop skills such as accuracy, agility, concentration, speed, hand to eye coordination, team work and sportsmanship whilst having lots of fun playing some thrilling games.

View The 2026 Timetable

Renowned professional trainer Charlie Thorburn will be in the Main Arena performing a mock drive with a mixture of spaniels and retrievers. Charlie , who is based in Perthshire , will be joined by chef James Martin and his blue roan cocker spaniel, Cooper, during this good-natured and informative display.

The Hounds exhibition is the best way to meet and learn about myriad different hounds, how they have evolved through breeding and the varied jobs that they do. Visitors have the opportunity to meet three different types of hounds on each of the three days, as well as talk to uniformed hunt staff and breeders about the hounds’ characteristics.