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Appleby Horse Fair: Thousands enjoy event amid high temperatures

PA Media A traveller rides his horse through the river during the Appleby Horse FairPA Media
Many attendees to the Appleby Horse Fair ride their horses through the River Eden

Thousands of people have arrived in Cumbria for the annual Appleby Horse Fair.

The event is one of the largest gatherings in Europe for Gypsies and travellers.

A celebration of the heritage of the travelling community stretching back at least 300 years, it also provides an opportunity for trading horses.

Fairgoers have been advised to make sure their animals get plenty of rest and rehydration amid high temperatures.

This year's event began on Thursday and will run until Wednesday.

PA Media People ride their horses through the river during the Appleby Horse FairPA Media
The RSPCA has encouraged fairgoers to make sure their horses are well rested and watered
PA Media A young traveller sits in a colourful caravan at ApplebyPA Media
The traditional Romany caravans are a colourful sight
Reuters Members of the traveller community wash their horses in the River Eden during the annual horse fair in ApplebyReuters
Fairgoers have been greeted by hot and sunny weather

Organisers said about 10,000 members of the Gypsy and travelling community were expected to attend along with about 30,000 other visitors.

Among those at the fair on Friday were the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and the Bishop of Carlisle, James Newcome, as part of a church initiative to reach out to Gypsy and traveller communities.

Getty Images A youngster with his small horse in ApplebyGetty Images
The fair sees travellers of all ages riding horses through the town
Reuters A horse stands in front of traditional Romany caravansReuters
The event has been staged for more than 300 years, organisers say
PA Media Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell rides on a horse-drawn carriage as he is shown around the annual Appleby Horse Fair on FridayPA Media
The Archbishop of York and Bishop of Carlisle visited in an effort to develop closer relationships between the Church of England and travelling communities

With Cumbria having seen hot and sunny weather for several days, RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said the welfare of the animals at the fair was paramount.

"Just as it's important for us to drink plenty and not work too hard in hot weather, it's important for our horses," he said.

"They need to have regular access to water, be drinking after being worked and be tied up in the shade.

"Owners may need to have more patience than normal as horses sometimes don't want to drink if they are in an overstimulating environment.

"Due to the nature of any horse fair, where animals are traded, and especially given that Appleby comes off the back of [an event at] Kirkby Stephen, owners may not know how much their horse has been worked beforehand so we want to encourage people to err on the safe side and not overdo it."

Reuters A blacksmith removes a shoe from a horse during the annual horse fair in ApplebyReuters
A blacksmith removes a horse shoe
Getty Images Items displayed for sale on stallholder's standGetty Images
Stalls sell a variety of items to the fair's thousands of visitors
PA Media Travellers arrive in Cumbria ahead of the Appleby Horse FairPA Media
Fairgoers began arriving earlier in the week
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