Appleby Horse Fair

[LMH]

Hi

Although I couldn't make Appleby Horse Fair this year due to a number of personal reasons. I couldn't let a couple of negative comments pass without passing my own comments.

I am posting a series of pictures with a short piece of writing telling of my experiences of visiting the horse fair over the past 20 years.

I have not made these posts to start an argument, nor bait any anti travellers comments. They are purely my opinions on Appleby.

Lisa

First off, 20 years ago, the horses were not tethered. They were allowed to roam freely along the main street, up on fair hill, around the caravans. Very dangerous indeed for horses and pedestrians and road users. Thankfully, all horses are tethered. Tethering a horse is perfectly safe as long as you keep checking it every couple of hours or so. I haven't yet seen a horse become injured due to being tethered.

 

[LMH]

I have seen examples of some very poorly bred equines over the years. These, in my opinion should have been taken away by the knackerman. The reason I say that is that people breed with poor examples and from a poor dam and a poor sire, the offspring is so badly put together, the offspring is limited in what it can do in everyday equine life. Some arn't even suitable for riding.

I have on the other hand, seen some fabulous horses in Appleby. They can change hands for thousands, many making a five figure sum. The gypsies will try it on with 'non gypsy' people and if you are a novice to buying and selling. You will probably get ripped off big time.

The ponies below are classed as trotters. Trotters arn't a breed, they are a mixture of fine breds. In my opinion, the one in front is far too young to be working at a trotting pace. I would imagine it is hardly 18 months old. It's got a weak chest and its head is too big. It's obviously over-reaching because it's wearing over-reach boots.

You will see pony and traps trotting up and down the main high street. You really do have to have your wits about you if you are a pedestrian or motorist. I have seen some near misses.

However, compared to 20 years ago, there is a huge police and RSPCA inspector presence.

Lisa

 

[LMH]

Here we have Fair Hill. The gypsy campsite. They do have to pay to stay on the campsite. I met a woman two years ago, she lived with her family in Hertfordshire. She was my age, had six children with another on the way. She couldn't read or write. We sat by the river and spoke about many things. She told me her family were her life. She was quite happy living on the site in Hertfordshire. She did give me her address and said her children would read any letters I sent to her but I never got round to writing to her. Emma paired up with one of her daughters who was the same age, although obviously, I didn't allow Emma to wander around Appleby with the girl, they played together and we were invited to their caravan later that night. We did go, only for a few hours but we were made very welcome indeed and had a great laugh. Unfortunately, the dinner was meat so that was me out of the picture! The TES (Travellers Education Service) have several stations around Appleby for the children.

 

[LMH]

I love this picture. They do wash their horses and ponies in the river. Years ago, they used to take the ponies and carts into the river. Really stupid and irresponsible in my book. Many horses/ponies drowned in that river.

Thankfully, the RSPCA along with the police are stationed at the point where they take the horses in to the river. Some of them will still try to take a horse and cart in, but swiftly turned back by the police.

I heard that a man deliberately drowned a horse this year but as I wasn't there to actually see it. I can't comment. It has been reported in the papers but I don't read any papers.

(All these photos have been taken from a site. I do have my own photos but they are on my other computer).

Lisa

 

[LMH]

Typical scene on Appleby high street. They don't use saddles. They ride bareback. The riders do have 'good seats' (a term used to describe how a person sits on a horse). They ride completely diferently to a person who pays for riding lessons. We sit up, calves in the correct position, heels down. They ride leaning very far back.

Note none of them wear hats. I don't actually think its illegal to ride without a helmet (I'll have to check on that) but it is advisable. However, saying that, I would rather ride out on one of their horses than any horse from a riding school. The reason I say that is that most of their horses are actually bombproof due to the amount of roadwork they do.

 

[LMH]

A typical picture of the gypsies trotting back up to Fair Hill.

I wouldn't say Appleby is totally lawless wild west type over the duration of the horse fair.

Two years ago, three teenage girls (local girls) were very seriously sexually assaulted.

From memory, a couple of the pubs close for the duration of the fair. Two of the campsites local to Appleby close.

I have seen some right sights myself. One particular favourite of mine was on a Saturday night, Emma and I were waking down to one of the pubs and I heard a vehicle beep at us. I turned round and saw a flat bed waggon drive by with about 15 older gypsy men standing in the back with their best bib and tucker on, black hair brilcremed (sp) back, they were wearing so much gold, it was blinding me even in the evening sunlight.

The last time I went with my friend in my caravan, we stopped at a very big campsite in Appleby. The gypsies in the caravan next door helped us put the awning up. They even invited us round for a drink (to which we declined) but they were ok and friendly enough.

I've seen some of the worst dressed young women I have ever seen in my whole life. I've met a few scroats, I've also met some really nice people.

As with any massive event, keep your wits about you and your purse/wallet hidden.

 

[LMH]

I also found this picture from the website where I got these pics from. I thought that was really stereotyping the gypsies. Although he looks a nice dog, he's not a patch on my little Gaylord.

Well, that's it. Not everyones cup of tea but it is mine.

Even my mum tries to dissuade me from attending Appleby. Each to their own.

 

[Diane1]

How many Horses do you have Lisa? At one time we had three, but now we are down to one. He is a 5 year old TB atanding @16.2. And i agree the horse is far to young to be trotting it still has splints at the age-should have left till its about 3 IMO.

Diane

 

[LMH]

Hi Diane

I have one out on loan and I bought a really nice coloured gelding (15.2) two weeks ago which I am bringing on (as he is still a bit green at five) and will sell him on. He's a nice cob with feathers and plenty of bone. He's nicely marked and has a superb temperament.

Lisa

 

[BrianStAlbans]

Hi Lisa,I have to say I found your post to be a very interesting read .

If you wan't a good horse buy the one in picture 2 at the back ,pulling the Argos lorry ;O)

Brian (",)

 

[LMH]

Hi Lisa,I have to say I found your post to be a very interesting read .

If you wan't a good horse buy the one in picture 2 at the back ,pulling the Argos lorry ;O)

Brian (",)

Yep, they are strong buggars!! LOL!

Lisa

 

[emmerson2]

Well done Lisa. Nice to hear it from the "other" side.As I said in my post, without you as a guide, we didn't go to the fair, but met with people who had been, and I passed on their comments. My memories, too are of a long time ago.

 

[Fubar]

interesting AND informative Lisa, think you should submit this to Practical Caravan as a feature...!

Mark (",)

 

[ThePlotter]

Mark I would agree,I am a bit puzzled though by the description given by Lisa of her horse having feathers! What is its name Pegasus.

 

[LMH]

Hi Plotter

Wish he was Pegasus! - I like that. He's going in July as I have a buyer for him.

Feathers: Long hair on the lower legs and fetlocks of horses. Abundant on heavy horse breeds.

You didn't pick this up 'good bone'. So this is what it means:

Bone: The measurement around the leg, just below the knee or hock. This measurement determines the horse's ability to carry weight, therefore a light-boned will be limited in weight carrying capacity.

Not only do you know a lot about SBT's, you'll soon be quite an expert on equines.

Lisa

 

[ThePlotter]

I am going to start entering pub quizes with all this knowledge,I did see the bit about bone but of course I already new that do you think I am some sort of ignoramous!

Now then not wishing to disclose too many personal details( I know ladies get excited easily) I have long hairs on my lower legs but never thought of them as feathers.

If a bird has long feathers on its lrgs like an Eagle are they called hairs?

 

[LMH]

Sorry, can't answer that. LOL!

Changing the subject, I still think you should buy that handbag from Harrods for the old gal.

Lisa

 

[ThePlotter]

Sorry money is too tight for that with the old gal not having worked since April last year and me since Jan 1st.I did the other day get four jars of coffee so I will give her one for her birthday and keep others for Christams and so on.

 

[LMH]

I understand. But didn't you say it's your anniversary and her birthday on the same day? Surely that warrants two jars of coffee?

Hey - thinking about anniversaries, we've been married 20 years this year (that's Phil and I, not you and me!!).

Lisa

 

[LMH]

Sorry money is too tight for that with the old gal not having worked since April last year and me since Jan 1st.I did the other day get four jars of coffee so I will give her one for her birthday and keep others for Christams and so on.

Will one jar last six months? I hope you've thought this through properly.

 

[LMH]

I hope I get more than a jar of coffee....... or someone might meet with a nasty accident......... LOL

Lisa

 

[ThePlotter]

Yes both same day been married 36 years,one jar should last until Christmas as she will have to ration it out.I make it policy not to overdo these things otherwise she will always want more!Start as you mean to go on the emphasis on mean!

 

[Viking1]

Lisa

Y have you stop.

As the Mods Told you to stop

Mark

 

[LMH]

Hi Mark

Do you mean I should have put more pics on?

Lisa

 

[Viking1]

Yes

But no old nags

Mark