AN innovative online competition has been launched to enable passionate horse-showing and agricultural enthusiasts to continue to compete.

Natalie Hadfield from Truro-based Showingscene.com, an online equine and agricultural show entry platform used by events across the UK, made the decision to create a virtual horse show to help alleviate the disappointment among competitors as a result of the widespread disruption to the showing season.

A keen equine and agricultural show competitor herself, Natalie said: “We made the decision to change Showingscene.com to accommodate virtual shows as our attempt to try and keep the showing community in good spirits with shows not currently able to run.

“The idea to make it quick and easy for competitors to enter shows and event organisers to run is the ethos of our businesses. I decided to run our first virtual show to ensure it works slickly for everyone. Our main aim is to keep the equine and rural community positive in these very strange times.

“The facility can be used for any type of event and will also work for other competitive elements from agricultural shows, from livestock to flower arranging. We would love to encourage the whole agricultural community to be involved if we can.

“There is everything from young stock in hand M&M to open ridden, we are not asking competitors to wear show gear but competitors must ensure that they wear hats, body protectors and they adhere to all safety measures.”

The inaugural Showingscene.com virtual horse show offers a range of in-hand and ridden classes and if entry numbers permit classes will be split out further.

Kevin Lee from Lancashire, an experienced judge and horse producer, will be judging the competition’s entries.

You can learn more and enter the Showingscene.com virtual show at www.showingscene.com. Entrants will need to upload two pictures and a short video. Entries close on Monday, April 20 at 5pm.

Horse or agricultural show organisers interested in holding their show virtually can find out more by calling 01872 672446 or email: support@showingscene.com.