Fun in the Main Ring of the Royal Welsh Show

There was plenty to see at this year’s Royal Welsh Show and the main ring at Llanelwedd’s showground was the hub of the action - seeing some excellent entertainment over the four-day event.

The RAF wowed the visiting crowds at the Royal Welsh Show last week as their parachute team gave a jaw-dropping display of sky-diving skill.

The Falcons joined other members of the RAF at this year’s show and put on a spectacular display to the onlooking crowds.

As well as the Falcons, the UK’s premier military parachute display team, also present at Llanelwedd in mid-Wales were recruitment teams explaining the roles available in today’s RAF and the Band of the RAF College which kept visitors entertained with performances throughout the day.

Air Commodore Adrian Williams said: “The RAF is delighted to be back at the Royal Welsh Show this year. It’s been a real thrill to see the RAF Falcons with their skill and professionalism and they always put on a great show.

“I’m very pleased that they could come to one of Wales’ top events.

“Being at the Royal Welsh gives us in the RAF the chance to say thank you to the people of Wales and beyond for all your support during the year, you all play a key part in enabling the RAF to succeed today in the work we do.”

One of the many highlights gracing the Main Ring this year were the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, who performed their famous Musical Drive.

The drive is well-known as one of the most most spectacular displays of horsemanship in the world.

Crowds were thrilled, and with each performance they filled out of the grandstand and surrounded the ring, keen to catch a glimpse of the impressive show.The mounted unit and all of its soldiers are trained to care for and drive teams of six horses, each team pulling a First World War-era QF 13-pounder gun.

Many of the manoeuvres of the Musical Drive have remained unchanged since it was first performed in 1897.

The start, known as the Big Drive, features the Scissors, where the whole team criss-cross at gallop, displaying choreography, teamwork and discipline. Another manoeuvre, the Wagon Wheel, depicts an inner wheel, spokes, and an outer wheel.

The Llanelwedd showground was buzzing with excitment when quad bike stuntman Paul Hannam took to the Main Ring with with his thrilling Quad Bike Stunt Show.

Flips and tricks were the orders of the day, as the two stuntmen performed wheelies and jumps to a stunned crowd.

Paul pulled out all the stops during the performance as onlookers whooped and cheered. Using a specially-made quad bike with a roll cage, he successfully triple rolled the vehicle - showing great balance and braking control.

For the finale, Paul landed a spectacular Evel Knievel-style ramp jump over four vehicles. The stuntman held his nerve and took his deserved applause from the crowds.