AT New Park, Brockenhurst, a steady downpour began two hours after the gates the the 64-acre New Forest Show opened.

Attendance was down by 5,500 on the previous year's record figure of 22,000.

The parade of prizewinning New Forest Ponies and the formal presentation of trophies were the only events cancelled because of the continual rain on July 31, 1968.

Horse entries both in show classes and jumping showed a small rise, and a new feature was Western style rising in the main ring during the afternoon. Among the competitors was 24-year-old Ian Mercer who had ridden his horse, Satan, from his home in Gravesend, Kent, 140 miles away.

The coaching and driving marathon and the jumping events proved to be popular, as did the New Forest ponies.

The rain early on threatened to was out the cattle parade, but a last minute decision by the show chairman, Sir Dudley Forwood, saved the public from disappointment.

Around the showground were nearly 100 trade stands dealing in all manner of goods - not just agricultural.

Nurserymen made a popular and highly colourful contribution to the ever-popular horticultural tent.

New Forest Industries and crafts were well represented through forestry and other channels and the Women’s Institutes in and around the Forest displayed their handicraft and culinary creations.

There was a record number of nearly 1,000 dogs in the dog show, for which a £400 prize and 45 trophies were up for grabs