Appleby Fair - anyone visited/bought from?

Went many years ago, didn't buy anything and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Watched the races in the evening and that was the highlight for me :).

In fact, I'm toying whether to go again this year.
 
Have seen quite a bit about it in the news but all negative I'm afraid. A horse got drowned a couple of years ago, but it was an accident. The RSPCA are more involved these days watching out for anyone that physically abuses horses whilst there. A lot of the ponies are trotted really fast up and down the lane whilst pulling carts but I believe this is to do with the traditional way of showing their animals and whilst I can't really comment on the showmanship side I don't expect it does much for the animals joints. Also a lot of heavy youths seem to ride ponies they are much too big for and I have often seen clips on TV of this happening. But to be fair I can't really comment as I have never been. Whatever I have seen has been from the media and we know how they like to exagerate and blow things up to sell papers, etc.
 
Would love to go - it is certainly one thing on my list of things to do before I die (if you excuse the expression)
Don't let negative vibes distort you thinking. I know there is always some bad press about events like this, but the good far outway the bad.
I have seen 1st hand many horses that come from the travelling community who in times of need have been taken better care of than a lot of people.
Go and have a look with an open mind - you never know what you might find.
 
My friend went a few years ago, but didn't buy anything. However, she did say that if she ever went again, with a view to buying something, she would go dressed up to the nines - think Ascot Ladies Day! She said that the female partners of those selling were mostly really dressed up and were more likely to take you seriously in your posh attire than if you went in your usual yard gear!
 
We live close to Appleby and although I don't visit very often, do see the whole preparation bit going on as they move up the valley towards the site.

I probably wouldn't buy there - wouldn't much enjoy bartering and also not much come back (if any) in terms of vet etc.

It is a spectacle, but for all the good bits, I tend to spend a lot of time worrying about the bad bits, mainly welfare issues.

If you have never been, go and judge for yourself...it's just not really my scene now, though I loved it when I was a little girl and remember hanging on to a big hairy cob's leg (who I had named 'Curly' for some reason), refusing to go without him - it was the only way I thought that I would ever get a horse!! (it didn't work I have to say!)
 
I went to Appleby fair years ago and believe me it will be an experience you will never forget. The atmosphere is electric with all walks of characters from old Gypsy rose lee's trying to tell your fortune to some of the biggest & strongest men trying to buy & sell with such excitement it will leave you breathless.

The kids on the ponies are fearless & the boys & girls riding bare back are something to see, they ride with such speed & don't move a jot on those horses backs. Then there are the racing lot with there sulkys & pacers & trotters going hell to leather up and down the road shouting 'mind your back' and if you dont get out of the way god help ya.

Or you can always watch from the bank as they bring herds of black & whites with masses of feathers to the river to be washed so they look the best for the right person who has enough cash. You can not take it all in and believe me there is a bargain to be had some where at Appleby, just be a bit coy and never let the man know what money you are holding and who knows you may come home with the next champion of the grand national or a lovely cob who will bring you much enjoyment.

Even if you have no wish to buy, the experience will leave you wanting to return at least once again, which i to my shame have not yet done but truly intend to do so in the not to distant future. Go you will never regret it and take a camera and a bit of cash as you never know what might take your fancy. Good luck & enjoy
 
Wow - lots of replies! Thank you all so much. I did see the reporting of the horse drowning, which was horrific and very sad. However, I would love to go along and was just curious as to other peoples' experiences. OH and I will be driving back from Scotland on 4th June, so we may plan to set off early enough to call in to the fair, instead of just driving past it. Having seen it I doubt we'll get all the way round, but will definitely call in. We are looking for a horse at the moment so it may be a bad move...!
 
I've heard that a lot of the bartering goes on in the pubs, not stood next to the horse, where I'd expect it to be. And also that some of the cobs go for tens of thousands, again bought and sold in the pub, so I imagine you can get a bargain there but I think you really have to know what you're looking for.
I'd love to do one day too.
Did you see My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding? When the girls were picking outfits to go to Appleby in. They were incredible. It is like the gyspy version of a prom!!:D Like someone said, you'd think to go in your yard scruffs but to the gyspy community it's a major event and you get all your glad rags on, or rather just a few skimpy ones, if you saw My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding!!:D
 
Went a few years back, a brilliant day out! Have nothing negative to say about it, probably seen worse kept horses at shows compared to some of them! Not sure I'd ever buy there, seems like something totally different and think you could easily buy something less than ideal unless you understood the way everything works there, but certainly some stunning horses around!
 
I wouldn't buy a horse from there, as after Appleby they will all be at least 20% cheaper! I haven't been since I was a kid, my sister still goes but they stay up the hill in their bowtop, and she loves it, the police and RSPCA will be there in force, and I think it is considered disrepectful not to dress up.
Oh and if you are serious about buying, get your OH to do the negotiating for you, he will be able to drive a better bargain. Sad but true!
 
If you put Appleby Fair into You Tube there are quite a few video's on there. I think it looks fascinating and really want to visit this year. It will be slightly different to Tattersalls!!!! I did giggle when watching My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding - I will not be going to Appleby wearing hot pants!!!
 
I haven't been to Appleby but have been to Smithfield Market in Dublin which is the Irish equivalent and my mate bought a cracking filly.

However. There are some serious sights seen and I guess it depends on what stresses you out as to whether you enjoy it or not. I absolutely hated seeing very young colts and fillies being ridden - and raced along the road or pulling sulkys. I saw a teenage lad trying to back a youngster that couldn't have been more than 9 months old. From the limited info I've had from people I know who have gone to Appleby it can be the same there and what goes on 'off site' isn't great.

But they do sell the most amazing quality livestock and I'd never ever fault the travellers eye for a horse / pony :)
 
I haven't been myself but my mare was from Appleby originally as my farrier spends around 3 weeks up there while the show is on as he breeds traditional cobs, but he found her for me and she's fantastic and i love her to bits. I'm glad i got my farrier to look for her though as he knew what i wanted and because he knows everyone there so he knows who to buy from and who not to. I think if you go you just have to be very careful but its supposed to be great and I have got an amazing horse from there. :) so youve got an opinion from a person who has actually bought a horse from appleby :)
 
Thank you! I am not sure about the dressing up bit - we shall be en route back from Scotland so although I won't be in my pyjamas, I won't be in my finery either! Still, we will (probably!) only be looking, although I might have to put in an urgent call for the trailer to be driven up by daughter LOL! Good point about horses being cheaper once it is all over... Although I don't want a vanner anyway, so shouldn't be a problem.:rolleyes:
 
Sooty said:
Thank you! I am not sure about the dressing up bit - we shall be en route back from Scotland so although I won't be in my pyjamas, I won't be in my finery either! Still, we will (probably!) only be looking, although I might have to put in an urgent call for the trailer to be driven up by daughter LOL! Good point about horses being cheaper once it is all over... Although I don't want a vanner anyway, so shouldn't be a problem.:rolleyes:
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Go just for the experience, it is pretty unique even if you don't enjoy it. I used to live near there so went quite often, and although there were some sorry sights the majority of horses were obviously well loved. One of my lasting memories was a young family, with two little kids washing their pony in the river and getting it ready to sell. Their parents were telling them to make sure it was super clean, it was very sweet! Oh, and my beautiful horse is from there...

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I have been to appleby here are the positives:-

Some beautiful horses of all colours and breeds.
Wonderful trailers and bowtops.
Exciting trotting races.
Dozens of old ladies claiming they can tell your fortune.

And the negatives in the year I went.

Yearlings being ridden by large grown men.
Horses crashing into each other while raced leaving nasty injuries.
One dead horse dumped in a ditch.
I was there the year the horse drowned it was actually 2 horses.
A fatal shotgun murder.


Oh and the fortune tellers give out looneytune keyrings as lucky charms ???
 
go with an open mind . there will be things you wont agree with and horses that youl go wow at and some sorry states iv been a few times and even stayed on the camp sites . always be on your gaurd
 
I wouldn't go and wonder why anyone would really want to but each to there own! Would deffiently watch the videos on youtube theres one that really isn't nice to watch horses getting beaten shuved kicked and then falling in the river and gypos trying there best to drown them aswel but im no fan of them especially even less after some near to where i live having a dead cob in there trailer on full vue to the public which kids or anybody could see then pulled upto were i work with same dead horse in back with half its hair hanging out the back and wanting to put dectomax on one of there other horses.... So although i haven't been i would say it cant be for the faint hearted or anyone whose maybe just a tiny bit sensitive.
 
It is a great day out if you really want to see horse abuse, yearlings and foal shod, ridden andl driven. Horses thrashed up and down battlegate hill. Horses with wild eyes and mouths open most of them not even 2 years old. Last year a skewbald colt had his ear bitten off and wounds that had maggots in them. He was rescued thank god and is with Redwings. He had been thrashed up and down the road until he nearly collapsed. Sadly he has foot issues as he had been shod by the owner and his joints in his hind are useless due to so much work at a young age. A horse broke her pelvis and was tied to the pub, the owners went and left her, apparentley she was exhausted and slipped. It was 1 am in the morning when someone reported her, my vets were called out to put her down.
We farm so when the knackerman says that at the end of the fair he has to go and pick up all the dead horses, this is not common knowledge. They die from exhaustion, colic injuries and dreadful accidents. This is the only place that the police have to be armed, that must tell you something. I have seen this abuse for years, where else would you need so many RSPCA, they have no jurasriction just warnings.
I hope you enjoy the Fair, just look hard at what you see. The horse that drowned was held under the water because it is tradition that the should be submerged in the River Eden.
 
chickeninabun said:
I've heard that a lot of the bartering goes on in the pubs, not stood next to the horse, where I'd expect it to be. And also that some of the cobs go for tens of thousands, again bought and sold in the pub, so I imagine you can get a bargain there but I think you really have to know what you're looking for.
I'd love to do one day too.
Did you see My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding? When the girls were picking outfits to go to Appleby in. They were incredible. It is like the gyspy version of a prom!!:D Like someone said, you'd think to go in your yard scruffs but to the gyspy community it's a major event and you get all your glad rags on, or rather just a few skimpy ones, if you saw My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding!!:D
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They close all the pubs at appleby now. I have stood in Millionaires corner a long time ago and its called that for a reason not unusual for a good coloured stallion to go for 35K. Its where boys get to meet girls. Men talk business and sell stock, and pacers raise their price, a completly different way of live to use "country folk". However speaking to people who have traveled there for years the atmosphere for them has changed. A lot of the older guys say that the youngsters are taking over with now real horsemanship or respect for their horse. They also say Appleby is turning into a tourist attraction and more of a bootfair than a proper horse fair. I just dont feel safe there at night. Should be going up this year if uni doesnt interfere :D
 
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