ONE OF Hampshire's biggest summer shows returns today after two years of Covid cancellations.

At least 90,000 spectators are expected to attend the three-day New Forest and Hampshire County Show, which is taking place at New Park, Brockenhurst.

This year's president is the Duchess of Cornwall, but show bosses have confirmed that she will not be attending the event.

Denis Dooley, chief executive of the New Forest Agricultural Show Society (NFASS), said: "We are hopeful she will be able to visit New Park later in the year to see our new education and community projects.

Bournemouth Echo: This year's New Forest Show will feature daily appearances by Atkinson Action Horses.This year's New Forest Show will feature daily appearances by Atkinson Action Horses.

"These are held throughout the year and connect visitors with nature whilst teaching them on the importance of respecting the local habitats. Examples include our Little New Park Ranger Courses that are held for families.

"Throughout the pandemic, the Society became much more educational and now holds events alongside the show."

No reason has been given for the Duchess's decision not to attend the show - the first to be held since 2019.

Previous presidents include the Duchess of Wessex, who held the office in 2016 and visited the first two days of the event.

This year's main attraction will be the equine stars of TV shows such Poldark, Victoria, and Peaky Blinders.

The animals are trained by Atkinson Action Horses, which wowed spectators at the 2018 show with riders performing a raft of gravity-defying stunts.

Other attractions include the Pony Club Mounted Games, the Heavy Horse Musical Drive and the Grand Parade of Livestock.

New for 2022 is the NFU Mutual Farming Experience Zone, which aims to teach visitors about farming with the help of interactive activities and expert talks on farm diversification.

This year's poultry show has been cancelled following the outbreak of bird flu.

Bournemouth Echo: The New Forest Show is taking place at New Park Brockenhurst.The New Forest Show is taking place at New Park Brockenhurst. (Image: Newsquest)

The show was due to celebrate its centenary in 2020 but the Covid crisis forced organisers to pull the plug.

Last year's event was also scrapped following a review of the pandemic and the government's "roadmap" out of lockdown.

In a statement issued at the time the NFASS said: "We are very disappointed but will be back with a vengeance in 2022."