Thousands attend first day of world-famous Appleby Horse Fair
THE world-famous Appleby Horse Fair kicked off today (Thursday, June 5) with thousands of people making their way to the small town for the weekend.
The event, which is unorganised and described as a gathering, is one of Cumbria Police's busiest jobs of the year. The annual fair features horse riding and trading, traditional music, dance performances and shopping stalls.
The town centre was bristling with police keeping an eye on the crowds and offering help to those who needed it with an estimated 80 officers in uniform as well as plain clothed officers on hand. More are expected to arrive tomorrow for the busiest days of the event, Friday and Saturday.
They joined the RSPCA who were in attendance to look out for the animals.
Despite the overall concerns, the first day was a hub of excitement with people who had travelled far and wide to be there.
Martina Wright at Appleby 2025. (Image: Newsquest) Martina Wright and her family have been in Appleby since Saturday, travelling from Newcastle. She was keen to express that the fair 'is not all bad' which she also tries to promote through her TikTok page which has gained over 160,000 followers.
She said: 'I've been coming here since I was two years old. My favourite thing about it is being involved with the horses and seeing everyone enjoying their own horses, bringing them and showing them off.
'It's not all bad. I think everyone who says Appleby is cruel and should be banned should come and see for themselves. There are people who breed horses for a living and they're so well cared for. Everyone's welcoming, you can come, and take photos and videos of the horses, people don't mind –they encourage it.
'Everyone speaks to each other, it's a nice place."
Fred Welsh with his sticks. (Image: Newsquest) Fred Welsh, 71, had travelled across from Durham yesterday and has been coming to Appleby Horse Fair since he was 10 years old.
He said: 'I make sticks through the dark winter months in my man shed and sell them here. I make about 100 in preparation and usually sell 80 over the weekend.'
Fred sets up shop in the same place each year - in front of the river where he can watch the horses.
He added: 'My favourite thing is watching people wash their horses in the river and cracking on with travellers from all over the country. Some come from as far as Ireland and others from Europe, Germany, Scotland – all over.
'I tend to see the same people every year. Some people I won't recognise but they walk past, and I see they have one of my sticks."
Kimberly amongst others who braved the cold water. (Image: Newsquest) Kimberly McLoud, from Burnley, was one of the first people to brave the 'freezing' River Eden on her horse, Pegasus, alongside her mum. She has been coming to the fair since she was born.
'I'm 18 years old and I've been coming since birth," she said. "The water was freezing but the horses loved it."
Jack and John with one of their horses. (Image: Newsquest) John Pughe and Jack Jones, like many others, had both brought a horse each to the fair, all the way from North Wales.
John said: 'It took about four hours for us to travel. I've been coming for 25 years and Jack's been coming for 7 – he's a newcomer."
The pair arrived yesterday and are planning to stay until Monday. John said he had seen a lot of change over the last two decades.
He added: 'There's a lot less horses now, it's more of a gathering than a buying and selling, but we're not here for that. Our favourite thing is the atmosphere.'
Appleby Horse Fair is set to continue until Sunday, June 8, with busiest crowds expected on Friday and Saturday.
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