Great Big Fat Gypsy gallop! Hundreds of travellers descend on West Wickham for annual horse fair
- Wickham Horse Fair is held in Fareham and dates back to the year 1269 and has been running for 800 years
- The event is expected to attract over 1,000 visitors and is one of the year’s biggest highlight for horse riders
- As part of festivities at the fair, participants and visitors will sell horses, as well as taking part in the horse run
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Hundreds have descended on West Wickham for the annual horse fair today for the prestigious event which will see people from across the whole of the travelling community come together for the age-old tradition.
The fair is one of two highlights of the horse-riding calendar which also includes the famous Appleby Horse Fair which takes place later on this year in June.
The event near Fareham, is expected to attract over a 1,000 visitors and despite not starting until today, Wickham Square had been closed in preparation for the event since yesterday.
As part of festivities at the fair, participants and visitors will sell horses, as well as taking part in the horse run. As well as this there will be plenty of fun for the family, including a fun fare and market stalls.
The horse fair dates back to the year 1269 and has been running annually for almost 800 years.
Those looking to get down to the fair today will need to take an umbrella though as the Met Office has forecast rain for the day, with some sunny intervals, with some rainfall between 4pm and 10pm
Horse owners parade their horses down the street in West Wickham at the annual horse fair today
This woman decided to get her high heels out and brace the weather forecast at the horse fair earlier today which is attended by people from up and down the country
Giddy-up: this man and young boy look like they are having a whale of a time as they ride down the street in a horse and cart
These three women decided to dress-up for the event which is the second biggest horse fair to take place in the country
This little girl seemed to be enjoying the event and had worn frilly socks and a dress while the woman with her wore high heels and held onto a bag of candy floss
Horses were lined up alongside the road today with their tails having been plaited and decorated with festive ribbons and bows
Those attending the fair gathered at the barriers today while one man rode his horse with a saddle (pictured above) down the street
Young women were gathered outside the small shops in the area (pictured above) with many wearing matching bows in their hair to their outfits
Another man seemed to be enjoying himself as he attached a cart to his horse and rode it down the street during the fair this afternoon
People gathered around the Wickham area to discuss the days festivities while two horse stood nearby, both with white fur with a darker trim
Those attending the fair today would be able to purchase a range of items including stuffed horses and even toy horses that come with a cart
People took the opportunity to dress up for the day, like this one woman (left) who wore a colourful suit to the day out she was attending with her family and friends
Horses were seen being led down the street by their owners while bystanders watched on and some even captured the moment on film, as one man can be seen doing, right
The event is one of the biggest in the horse riding community and these women took the opportunity to put on their best jeans and sunglasses
Catching up with friends! This group were seen having a chat with each other and appeared to be enjoying the festivities of the day
Feeling peckish? These women were pictured tucking into a burger while they took a break from the festivities and had some lunch
This man was pictured with his beautiful horse which had a white coat and white spots. Many watched on while he rode it down the road
Many attend the event in order to purchase horses from other traders who travel to the event in the Wickham area of Fareham
This man was pictured looking after the tail of one of his horses which had plaits and colourful ribbons on it as well as the rest of its mane
Easy Rider! A man steers the horse down the road as a crowd of onlookers admire the display at the centuries old fair