IT’S all systems go at Westons Cider in Much Marcle where its beautiful shire horses are being made ready for possibly the world’s largest gathering of these pedigree gentle giants.

The 2024 National Shire Horse Show will take place on March 8, 9 and 10 at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire County Showground, and a team from Westons Cider will be going for the very first time.

Carla Miles, the shires team leader at Westons said: “You may have seen our horses out and about a bit last summer as we dipped our toes into our first official show season as a new team, and since the pandemic.

“I am delighted to say I will be taking the Westons Shires to the National Shire Horse Show. It’s the goal of every shire owner and breeder to compete there. I am particularly proud as Westons Cider has never attended before.”

Carla has been working with Westons at The Mill for two years. Her team consists of herself and her partner Dominic Wheelwright. Dominic is also their farrier.

They have three resident shires at The Mill - Reg, Jed and Buzz. Reg and Jed are the two geldings that will be attending the National Shire Horse Show. Buzz is a two-and-a-half-year-old colt who is their rising star with a very bright future as a working Westons Shire.

Carla said: “It is arguably the biggest show in the shire horse owners’ calendar, and the largest gathering of shire horses in the UK, possibly the world. We are particularly excited to be taking our horses and dray there as Westons have never participated before, and we are so proud to be the team that takes them there. Our class is the Ladies Pairs Turnout at 9:30am on the Sunday (10th March). I’ll be driving and Dominic Will be accompanying me on the famous Westons Dray as groom.

We are currently busy preparing for this, making our dray look extra spick and span.

“Our horses stay busy; we go out to country shows and do the odd parade and charity drive. We also do weddings. Additionally, we offer experience days with our horses at The Mill, where people can come and spend the day with the team and get hands on experience of what it is like to master the traditional art of working heavy horses”.

For more information or contact The Mill directly, the number is 01531 660108 and the email is shires@westons-cider.co.uk.

People can also follow the horses on Facebook for updates on their daily lives and information on upcoming events and appearances, @WestonsShires