Despite the mechanical and electronic age, horses still play a prominent part in the British way of life.

Quite a number of them turn up at the Royal Cornwall Show, competing for honours in a plethora of sections and classes.

You can watch all the competitions and judging and you can wander round the horse lines. It's like being back stage in the theatre watching the performers going through their pre-show routines.

If you are interested in horses, there's going to be something at the 2010 show to catch your eye.

The main ring and rings two and three feature a feast of horse competitions on every one of the three days, each day's programme culminating in a parade of prize winners.

It's a grand sight for any horse-lover and impressive even if you have only a passing interest. Horses make a huge contribution to this show.

Don't miss the Francis Clark (Chartered Accountants) Driving Competitions on the first and second days, the huge range of native pony classes on the second day and the magnificent shire and heavy horses on the third.

Show jumping is a strong feature of the Royal Cornwall Show and attracts national attention.

Many top-class riders are attracted to the competitions with a range of classes run over all three days.

As a main ring event, showjumping is both traditional and exciting; the experience of being so close to the action brings home the power of the horses and the skill of the riders.

For 2010 there is again a strong range of classes on offer

The Association are very grateful to Horse and Jockey Bakery (Helston and Porthleven), South West Loos and Carol Potts (in memory of her late husband Peter), for their generous sponsorship of classes.

Pony classes, both ridden and led, are run in rings two and three at the Royal Cornwall Show, on Friday and Saturday and they always attract large crowds.

People travel from all over the country to have their ponies compete here, which ensures a high quality field and good standard of competition.

There's great variety on display - from native breeds such as Dartmoors and Exmoors, through to working hunter ponies being put through their paces over a jumping course.

A smartly turned out donkey is a very impressive sight. Here at the Royal Cornwall you'll see them in large numbers and in many different guises. From mares with foal at foot to driving donkeys.

There's even a class for the most versatile donkey of any age. All they have to do is complete a course specially designed to test both obedience and ability! The donkey classes are staged on Saturday 12 June in Ring Three.