The London Harness Horse Parade is a show of well-groomed and well-bred horses. It was formed by combining the London Cart Horse Parade, founded in 1885, and the London Van Horse Parade, founded in 1904.
The London Horse Parade
The aim of the London Cart Horse Parade was to improve the general condition and treatment of London’s work cart or heavy horses and to encourage drivers to take a human interest in the welfare of their animals. For many years it was extremely popular, but the introduction of motor vehicles saw the disappearance of horses as a means of transportation.
The Van Horse Parade
The Van Horse Parade began in 1904 with similar objectives to the Cart Horse Parade, but by the 1960s they declined, so in 1966 a decision was made to merge the two parades that make up the London Harness Horse Parade, which is also would celebrate Easter Monday. .
Regent’s Park and Battersea Park hosted the parades for many years, but now it is held at the South of England Showground.
You can see a wide variety of animal breeds ranging from donkeys to Dutch, Friesian and Guederlans, to the magnificent heavy horses, which remain a crowd favorite. Some participants come from working homes, such as the Shire horses from Young’s and Fullers Breweries, or the Harrods Friesians and the Undertakers cribbs, but the majority of the parade consists of privately owned horses.
The show retains its strong London identity, although exhibitors will travel from Cornwall, Ireland and Cumbria to participate.
When: The London Harness Horse Parade takes place annually on Easter Monday.
Weather:
- 10.30 am: inspections and evaluation begin
- 1 pm: Parade and awards ceremony.
- 2 pm The parade ends
Where: The South of England Fairgrounds, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TL
Nearest Train Stations: East Grinstead OR Haywards Heath
From London Bridge or London Victoria.
Use National Rail Inquiries for information on train travel.
Official Website: www.lhhp.co.uk
