Hundreds of travelers arrive with horses as the Wickham Horse Show begins in the quiet Hampshire village
Hundreds of travelers took their horses to a quiet Hampshire village to attend the annual horse show, dating back to 800 years.
The community has landed in the sleepy village of Wickham, a village with just over 2,000 people, once a tradition passed down from generation to generation.
There are dozens of horses lined up on the streets that are ready for transactions and sales every day, and it is an opportunity for the travel community to meet family and friends.
It began with the royal charter obtained by Roger de Syres from King Henry III, and held a weekly market in the 13th century at Wickham’s Town Square, which is now held every year on May 20, unless the date falls on Sunday.
It stagnates the small village as the roads, shops and bars on this day can make the fair take place.
Horse boxes, caravans and animals all arrive with the owners, as well as fun fairs, food vans and various stalls.
Dozens of animals are usually tied to local fences and externally enclosed bars, ready for a deal.
There was some small rubbish in the village early Monday.
The community landed in the sleepy village of Wickham, which has just over 2,000 people
Lifting dozens of horses in the streets a day ready to trade and sell in the day, this is an opportunity for the travel community to meet family and friends
Some small trash was filmed in the village earlier Monday
Roads are closed throughout the village, including Fareham Road and Square. They are expected to reopen at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
During the day, when you see horses and ponies getting on and pulling up and down the country streets, adults and kids join in the fun.
The fair was so popular that travelers looking to attend the fair were hosted in the surrounding villages last week, who had arrived and set up shift camps on public lands.
At least 21-seat caravans arrived at Greta Park at the hedge end, and the historic event will be six miles away.
A council staff claimed that four padlocks were broken to get the group into the park area.
Police quickly moved them, but more people have since arrived in the surrounding area.
When MailOnline visited sleepy idyllic earlier this week, the Central Square was the event center before the two-day closure.
During the day, the adults and children were having fun seeing horses and ponies getting on and off the cart on the country street.
Local bars including Woody’s remain closed during the expo, as are most local businesses
Horse and pony on Tuesday morning at Wickham, Hampshire
Traditionally, local butchers have been one of the only stores that can stay open, offering hot foods to popular snacks for the crowd, but even if they say they will be closed this year.
Manager Ben said: “We didn’t open this year. We just don’t have staff, and it’s not worth it. We’ll have a lot of time without trouble if we can.”
Traditionally, the launch of the event encountered many horses racing through the streets of Wickham while others crossed towns, including pony.
Sadly, in the past, some horses in the event had to be put down.
Police will also interact with tourists and respond to any problems that may arise.
In 2020 and 2021, the activity was banned due to lockdowns imposed on the country.
But after those years, it is understood that as many as 150 people were slammed by police and angry business owners.
The agreed plan is to hold a small symbolic event involving “one or two horses” to maintain the festival tradition.
