The traditional country show may be seeing a revival, after years of economic hardship.

It was once one of the most prestigious agricultural shows in the country.

So when the Royal Show finally announced it was closing in 2009 because it was no longer financially viable, it sent fears that the golden age of country competitions could be coming to an end.

But two years on it appears there is a renewed interest on the showing circuit and many events are seeing a boom in animal competition entries.

Organisers of this weekend’s Three Counties Show at Malvern, Worcestershire, have seen record numbers of entries for both cattle and horses, forcing it to find more space to accommodate extra horse boxes.

Horse numbers are up 100 on last year’s figures with 2,815 entries for the three-day event.

More than 900 cattle have been entered into the event – the highest tally ever – and agricultural trade stand space for the show sold out by March.

The show, which will run until Sunday at the Malvern Showground, is attracting international interest too, with entries from Norway and the Czech Republic.

Other famous entries include horses belonging to the Queen and Cornish comedian Jethro.

“In spite of continuing difficulties in the economy, and a worryingly slow start in terms of entries coming in, we are extremely pleased to announce that levels have now exceeded those of last year,” says show spokeswoman Sharon Gilbert.

“The Equine Centre here at Malvern is already the largest of its kind in the Midlands, catering for large-scale competition events, and it is an important part of this week’s show.

“We have, of course, made significant improvements to the facilities this year, including the installation of an Olympic-size arena which measures 6,500 sq m.”

It’s clear that the Three Counties Show is showing no signs of following in the footsteps of the Royal Show.

Mrs Gilbert adds: “There is no doubt that the disappearance of the Royal Show has brought benefits for this event.

“When it went we were asked would we be going the same way. Absolutely not. We have just kept putting in more farming and more entertainment.”

Other attractions at this weekend’s event include performances from The Red Devils and even a medieval village.

For the first time ever, the show is also the venue for the European Pole Climbing Championships, and two 25-metre-high wooden poles have been installed for the spectacle.

Competitors, many of them arborists, will run up the poles against the clock, in a test of skill, speed and stamina.

The forestry section returned to the Three Counties Show last year after a long period of absence and proved to be one of the show’s highlights. The new competition is expected to “add a touch of excitement to the area”.

Other new features include a 100ft big wheel; Bold Dog Lings motorcycle stunt display; Oatland Park Pipe Band; Three Counties Alpaca Show and National Horseboarding championships. Television celebrity David Domoney will also host a new live theatre and a new kitchen area will stage cookery demonstrations.

The show will also have a country pursuits village, live forestry demonstrations, an emergency services village, a farmers’ market and a medieval village complete with knights in shining armour and medieval tournaments. The show will be open from 8am until 6pm from tomorrow (Friday) until Sunday.