On 5th & 6th June, the giants of the horse world will demonstrate their skills and versatility alongside a host of other working animals at a magnificent gathering. The Heavy Horse and Working Animals Show at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton, near Chichester, West Sussex, will be an unforgettable weekend of displays, demonstrations and parades. The Museum has for many years held its Heavy Horse Spectacular, one of the biggest shows of its kind in the south of England, and last year expanded the event to include a wide variety of working animals. This proved highly successful and an even more innovative show is planned for this year, guaranteed to delight visitors of all ages.
During the two days over thirty Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolks, British Percherons and Ardennes horses will be taking part in a variety of activities. Weighing up to a ton and standing up to 19 hands high, these powerful and majestic horses are prized for their good looks, gentle temperament and capacity for work. In the Show arena, demonstrations will include agricultural vehicles, brewers’ drays, a horse-drawn steam-powered fire engine with ‘firemen’ in period costume, harnessing and decoration. Continuous ringside commentary will be provided.
Also among the activities at the Show will be a display of one of the most exciting developments in the heavy horse scene – cross-country driving. This will be the highlight of the Show on the Saturday, with intrepid drivers putting on a special display of timed obstacle driving through a cones course. Arena parades take place at the end of each day, with a Grand Parade around the Museum site bringing the event to a conclusion on the Sunday.
The working animals element to the Show will bring an additional entertaining dimension to the event, with information and displays showcasing man’s working relationship, both modern and traditional, with a variety of creatures great and small. There will be a display of working donkeys with a chance to meet them as they participate in the Show; an opportunity to see the Museum’s own working Sussex cattle as they undertake seasonal tasks on the Museum’s farmland; and displays of gun dogs, falconry, and Search and Rescue Dogs, plus a whole host of involvement from various organisations who work with animals on a daily basis.
The Museum is open for the Heavy Horse and Working Animals Show on Saturday and Sunday 5 and 6 June, and daily until 23 December. Opening hours are 10.30 – 6pm during British Summer Time, and until 4pm during the rest of the year. Admission is adults £9, over 60s £8.15, children £4.80, family £24.75. Group rates are also available.
