A new Heavy Horse and Hound Village will be among the highlights at this year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair, bringing together some of the countryside’s most iconic animals and crafts.

The attraction will run over the two days of the event, on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 November, at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd. It will feature heavy horses, miniature ponies, hounds and live farriery demonstrations in a newly created feature area within the Farriery Pavilion.

The initiative builds on the success of the Heavy Horse Village introduced by Caernarfon’s feature county ambassador, Rhys Griffith, at the Royal Welsh Show earlier this year. The new addition to the Winter Fair will include farriery displays and a hound show, designed to showcase Wales’ rural heritage and traditional working animals.

The event also marks the final outing for Mr Griffith in his role as ambassador for Caernarfon, before the next feature county takes over in December.

The “gentle giants” of the equine world, including Shires, Clydesdales and Suffolk Punches, will take centre stage in the Farriery Pavilion. Once vital to farming, transport and industry, these breeds are now classed as at risk of extinction. Their presence at the Winter Fair aims to highlight their contribution to rural life and the importance of safeguarding them for future generations.

Visitors will also be able to see miniature horses alongside their full-sized counterparts. Standing under 38 inches tall, these small but sturdy animals are often used as therapy or guide animals and are known for their intelligence and gentle nature.

Rhys Griffith, RWAS Ambassador, who runs the family’s Trem-y-Wyddfa Stud in Llanberis, said: “It’s been fantastic for me personally to have had the heavy horses at the Spring Festival, the Royal Welsh Show, and now at the Winter Fair, rounding off both my year as Ambassador and Caernarfon’s feature county year.

“It’s also a great opportunity to promote the heavy horses return to next year’s Royal Welsh, following the wonderful feedback we’ve received from members and visitors.

“The ‘little and large’ comparison at the Fair will be quite a display, and I hope the children visiting will go home with lasting memories, and perhaps one day be inspired to own a Shire Horse of their own.”

The Hound Show will take place in a nearby marquee on the Monday of the event, showcasing Welsh, Hill, English and Fell hounds from packs across Wales. Judges will assess conformation, movement and overall condition, helping to preserve traditional breeding standards and appreciation for working hounds.

On Tuesday, the Farriery Pavilion will host live horseshoe-making demonstrations at 10am and 12pm. Skilled farriers will demonstrate the craft of forging and shaping shoes - a centuries-old trade that remains central to equine welfare.

Organisers say this new combined area promises to be a highlight of the event, offering visitors the chance to learn more about the animals and crafts that have shaped rural life across generations.

For full details and to buy tickets, visit www.rwas.wales or www.cafc.cymru