The Three Counties Agricultural Society (TCAS) has revitalised its flagship agricultural event, beginning with a name change for 2002.

The Malvern-based charity will be staging the newly-named Three Counties Country-side Show between Friday 14 and Sunday 16 June.

livestock displays

Although the event will not feature livestock competitions this year, it will incorporate livestock displays -- namely single herds of both Gloucester and Hereford cattle.

Breed societies have been invited to exhibit at the Show, and in addition to prize money for the best promotional stand within each section, the Society has given individual grants of £100 to help towards expenses. Repsonse has been good, with around 25 societies exhibiting at Malvern in June.

Horses will be present as always, and running alongside the Show's equestrian competitions which have attracted in excess of 1,600 entries, will be the popular Shetland Pony Grand National, the Parade of Hounds, Harness Racing and six Show Jumping classes.

New classes include a Costume Concours D'Elegance (side saddle) -- a first for Malvern, the Novice Working Hunter class, the Pleasure class in the Private Driving section and a Ladies Working Hunter class.

For the first time in some years, the Society has received qualifiers for the Royal International Horse Show in the Ridden and Working Hunter classes. These will complement existing qualifiers for Horse Of The Year Show and Ponies (UK) together with many others from the breed societies.