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Appleby Horse Show


Ladies of the big fat gypsy festival: Traveller women (and some very bling babies) take on men at traditional Appleby horse fair

  • Young travellers made the most of warm weather as they bathed their horses in River Eden, Cumbria
  • King James II granted a Royal Charter in 1685 allowing a horse fair to be held 'near the River Eden'
  • Every year thousands of travellers come from around Britain and the rest of the world to take part
By Harriet Arkell and Mark Duell
PUBLISHED: 16:03 GMT, 6 June 2013 | UPDATED: 18:58 GMT, 6 June 2013
The sun shone for the annual Appleby Horse Fair today, and young travellers made the most of it as they bathed their horses in the River Eden.
Dressed to make the most of the sunshine, the travellers plunged into the cool river to wash their steeds before selling them at thetraditional horse fair.
The river was as popular with the horses as the girls riding them as temperatures soared in Cumbria and across Britain after a long and cold winter.
A traveller who gave her name as 'Stacey' submerges her horse in the cool waters of the River Eden as the sun shone on the first day of the Appleby Horse FairA traveller who gave her name as 'Stacey' submerges her horse in the cool waters of the River Eden as the sun shone on the first day of the Appleby Horse Fair
This young traveller was one of an anticipated 5,000 from all over the world who will descend upon the annual Appleby Horse Fair - the largest of its kindThis young traveller was one of an anticipated 5,000 from all over the world who will descend upon the annual Appleby Horse Fair - the largest of its kind

Around 5,000 travellers attend the annual horse fair, including this young horseman, leftAround 5,000 travellers attend the annual horse fair, including this young horseman, left

The animals are washed and groomed before being ridden at high speed along the 'mad mile' where horses are shown off to prospective buyersThe animals are washed and groomed before being ridden at high speed along the 'mad mile' where horses are shown off to prospective buyers
Learning young: A boy sits while a man talks on his mobile phone at the annual horse fair in Cumbria, which runs from today until next WednesdayLearning young: A boy sits while a man talks on his mobile phone at the annual horse fair in Cumbria, which runs from today until next Wednesday
On the road: Travellers make their way to the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, where thousands of travellers gather at Europe's largest gypsy siteOn the road: Travellers make their way to the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, where thousands of travellers gather at Europe's largest gypsy site
Soaking: Travellers including Stacey (pictured) and her friends plunged into the cool river to wash their steeds before selling them at the historic horse fairSoaking: Travellers including Stacey (pictured) and her friends plunged into the cool river to wash their steeds before selling them at the historic horse fair

Traditionally they bathe the horses in the River Eden before grooming them and riding them fast along the 'mad mile' to show them off to potential buyers.
As well as horses, the fair also features market stalls selling food and other merchandise as well as fortune telling, palm reading and other live entertainment. Last year the fair was featured in the hit TV series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.
Long tradition: Historically they bathe the horses in the River Eden before grooming them and riding them fast along the 'mad mile' to show them off to potential buyersLong tradition: Historically they bathe the horses in the River Eden before grooming them and riding them fast along the 'mad mile' to show them off to potential buyers
Fun times: Dressed to make the most of the sunshine, travellers plunged into the cool river to wash their steeds before selling them at the historic horse fairFun times: Dressed to make the most of the sunshine, travellers plunged into the cool river to wash their steeds before selling them at the historic horse fair
Technical trade: Gypsies mould grooves into the hooves ready for shoes to be fitted onto the horses at the Appleby Horse Fair in CumbriaTechnical trade: Gypsies mould grooves into the hooves ready for shoes to be fitted onto the horses at the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria

Three-year-old traveller Milly Edwards poses next to the River Eden during the Appleby Horse Fair this afternoon in traditional gypsy dressThree-year-old traveller Milly Edwards poses next to the River Eden during the Appleby Horse Fair this afternoon in traditional gypsy dress

The travellers delighted in the hot sun today as they washed their steeds in the cool waters of the River Eden before racing them down the public roadsThe travellers delighted in the hot sun today as they washed their steeds in the cool waters of the River Eden before racing them down the public roads
Popular: As well as horses, the fair also features market stalls selling food and other merchandise as well as fortune telling, palm reading and other live entertainmentPopular: As well as horses, the fair also features market stalls selling food and other merchandise as well as fortune telling, palm reading and other live entertainment
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