The 2026 Royal Welsh Show draws to a close after a fantastic four days of competitions, entertainment, food, sport, shopping and family attractions.
Blessed with glorious sunshine, crowds from across the UK and beyond packed into the showground at Llanelwedd to celebrate the very best of Welsh and British agriculture.
As always, the livestock took centre stage, with an outstanding standard of entries across every section. The Royal Welsh continues to attract exhibitors from far and wide, all hoping to take home one of the Show’s coveted rosettes and prizes. Renowned for showcasing some of the finest livestock in Europe, this year’s competitions were no exception.
In the cattle rings, the Supreme Champion Beef title was awarded to a Charolais heifer Larahill Voiet, exhibited by Mike and Melanie Alford, while Corringham Lambda S Gremlin, an impressive Holstein cow exhibited by David Jones was named Supreme Champion Dairy Cow.
A new Charles Arch Memorial Award was introduced at this year’s Royal Welsh Show to honour the legacy of one of the Society’s much-loved commentators, who served the Show for more than four decades and was a passionate supporter of young talent and the Welsh language. Presented during the Grand Parade, the annual award recognises an outstanding young handler, with this year’s inaugural award going to the Champion Young Handler in the Beef Cattle Section, Iestyn Llyr Hughes.
In the sheep ring the Sheep Supreme Champion title was awarded to Arnold Oare with a yearling Suffolk ewe. The Pig Supreme Champion was won by a Duroc, bred by Morgan Halliday and exhibited by Pigs Dyfodol Pedigree.
Meanwhile, around the Main Ring, spectators were treated to an incredible four days of horse classes, all culminating in the Thursday afternoon competition for the sought-after title of Royal Welsh Supreme Horse Champion, which went to a Section D Welsh Cob brood mare, Glyncoch Capoeira, bred and exhibited by the Glyncoch Stud.
Key Livestock Results
Supreme Horse Champion
Judged by Mr Terry Court
Glyncoch Capoeira, a Welsh Cob (Section D) brood mare, bred and exhibited by Glyncoch Stud
Supreme Beef Champion
Judged by Mr James Barber
Larahill Violet, a Charolais heifer, exhibited by Mike and Melanie Alford and bred by John O’Connor
Supreme Champion Dairy Cow
Judged by Mr Ian Collins
Corringham Lambda S Gremlin, a Holstein cow, bred & exhibited by A Salter-Chalker and D W & C E Jones
RWAS & Dai Jones Llanilar Team of Five – Beef breeds
Judged by Mr David Esmore Evans
A team of Limousin cattle owned by Messrs Jenkinson, Thor Atkinson and R & J Graham
Marks & Spencer Team of Five – Dairy breeds
Judged by Mr Willie Taylor
A team of Holstein cattle owned by A Salter-Chalker and D W & C E Jones, A H Wilson and S R Davies
RWAS/Shearwell Data Ltd “Champion of Champions” Sheep Award
Judged by Mr Brian Davies
A Suffolk shearling ewe, bred and exhibited by Arnold Oare
Pig Supreme Champion
Judged by Mr Stephen J Richardson
A Duroc, bred by Morgan Halliday and exhibited by Pigs Dyfodol Pedigree
We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh to the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday. Making her first visit in her capacity as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), Her Royal Highness toured the showground, meeting exhibitors, staff, volunteers and Society members. A longstanding supporter of farming, food production and rural communities, it was a privilege to welcome The Duchess back to the Royal Welsh Show.
As the first Show since the Senedd elections in May, the event also welcomed more than 64 newly elected Members of the Senedd, reflecting the role of the Royal Welsh as one of Wales’ prime gatherings for agriculture, rural communities and policymakers.
Away from the competition rings, the showground was buzzing with activity throughout the four days. The Main Ring programme featured the return of the thrilling Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show and welcomed the Shetland Pony Grand National for the first time. Visitors also enjoyed a special performance by the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir, whose stirring rendition of the Welsh hymn Calon Lân was one of the highlights of Monday’s programme. It marked the choir’s first official performance in Wales since becoming the first choir to win ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.
Wednesday saw a fantastic atmosphere in the Meirionnydd Shearing Centre as crowds gathered for the Six Nations Shearing Championship. Wales claimed the title, with Champion Shearer of Wales Gwion Lloyd Evans and Llyr Jones, under the leadership of team manager Rhys Jones leading the home team to victory over England, Scotland, France, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Shearing Centre was also home to the Wales v New Zealand Machine Shearing Test that began with the national anthems of Wales and New Zealand and followed by the ever-impressive Haka. New Zealand went on to win the test under the guidance of their manager Digger Balme.
Across the showground, visitors enjoyed a wealth of attractions and experiences. The new Welsh Sheep Village, Cynefin, made its Royal Welsh debut, while the renowned Food Hall showcased an array of produce from food and drink businesses across Wales and beyond. The Welsh Food and Drink Village, Gwledd, was a vibrant hub throughout the four days, with live music from the BBC Radio Cymru stage. Elsewhere, the Horticulture Village featured a packed programme of demonstrations and talks, while the Heavy Horse Village celebrated the heritage and importance of these magnificent animals.
“It’s been a tremendous week.” said Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS Chief Executive.
“One of the highlights was seeing the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir perform in the Main Ring. Thousands came to watch around the ringside with over 3,000 people packed into the Grandstand. And when they sang in Welsh for the very first time, singing Calon Lân, all 3,000 in the grandstand rose to their feed in applause. What a moment.
The engagement we’ve had on social media has also been absolutely sensational, with more than two million views across our channels.
Thank you so much to everybody who supported this year’s Royal Welsh Show and to the incredible team at the Brecknock Feature County, led with great distinction by our President, Mr Gethin Havard and his wife Ceri. The bar was set extremely high with a fantastic Moliant y Maes on the Sunday evening which set the tone for the rest of the week.
We’re pleased with all the feedback we’ve had for the new additions this year, including Cynefin our new sheep village. Our thanks to all those who play their part in making this show such a special and important occasion, from exhibitors, stewards, sponsors, judges, traders, members and all our contractors. We cannot wait to see you all back in Llanelwedd again this time next year. Diolch o galon i chi gyd.”
The Royal Welsh Show returns to Llanelwedd, Builth Wells from 19–22 July 2027. Save the date.
