The agricultural show season kicks off this month, with a popular event building on its recent success.

Since moving to a new home at the United Counties Showground, Carmarthen a few years ago, St Clears YFC Agricultural Show has gone from strength to strength and this year, new classes have been introduced in nearly every section of the show.

General secretary Alison Ebsworth said: “Cattle and sheep classes have been expanded, and the ever popular and growing vintage section now boasts classes such as classic cars to most efficient horticultural or agricultural equipment.

“In the horse section,ten rings will hold some 140 classes between them and new for 2011 are national Welsh championship qualifiers, BSPS qualifiers, CHAPS UK qualifiers RIHS qualifiers and Blue Riband qualifiers. The secretaries have been able to secure these qualifiers through hard work and determination, many of which will be the only ones in Wales available for 2011.”

There have also been improvements to the more established classes such as the ridden and in-hand hunter sections and other new classes include race to riding horse, side saddle, Palomino, Duns, Cremello and six RIHS miniature horse classes to cover ponies that were not classified in the Shetland section.

The official visitor to the 2011 show is David Broome, who will officially launch the area 36 affiliated show jumping competition.

As well as major changes to the animal sections, the ever popular horticulture section and is being moved to the main exhibition hall on the showground.

Alison added: “Visitors will be able to get a better feel of what this show has to offer and it will also allow the horticultural section to have the full use of the exhibition unit under the grandstand, which has previously been split into two. Limited space is also available for trade stands, as the popularity of the show from 2010 saw many of those trading last year signing up for 2011.”

After many years of persistent requests, this year’s president is prominent businessman and avid supporter Julian Mousley, of St Clears. The vice-president is Roland Michell.

St Clears YFC Agricultural Show takes place at the United Counties Showground, Nantyci, Carmarthen on Saturday May 21st.

For more information, or to request schedules, contact one of the section secretaries: l General/horticulture: Alison Ebsworth 07870390734 or email Aebsworth@aol.com.

l Horses/cattle/sheep: Paula Coles, 01994 240502 or email pechham356@btinternet.co.uk.

l Dog show: Diane Phillips, 01994230905.

l Trade stands: Bruce Wallace, 01267 211207.

l Sponsorship: Catherine Lewis, 01994211451.

Log on to www.stclearsyfcshow.co.uk.