A rare treat as heavy brigade gallops in town

THE sun shone down as the inaugural Lancashire Heavy Horse Show got off to a jump start over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The very first show of its kind, at Great Harwood Showground, saw crowds descending in glorious sunshine from all over the country for the rare occasion.

The heavy horse show was originally part of the Great Harwood Agricultural Show which was established in 1827 but was cancelled for the second year running due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Instead of waiting until 2022, organisers decided to give the heavy horses a chance to step into the spotlight and shine at a newly created event just for them.

Around 50 heavy mounts were on display and the occasion at Great Harwood Showground attracted hundreds of people from all over the country.

Among the show’s rare breeds were Clydesdales and Suffolk Punch horses, which are an incredibly rare variety and the oldest form of heavy horse to exist.

Organiser Emma Gater said: “It was amazing - there were hundreds of people there, with deck chairs and benches so they could sit and watch.

“I wasn’t sure we were going to have a show but then all the restrictions were lifted, and I thought, I hope we can hold this. It was a huge amount of organising.

“It was lovely to see those hoses and get back to normal.

“The heavy horse community are so good - they always give it their all and they really go above and beyond.”

Phia Tattersall, one of the photographers at the event, said: “It was amazing as there were so many people there and it went so smoothly. It is the first heavy show I’ve ever been to.

“The most mind-blowing thing for me was the fact I got to stand next to one of the rarest breeds in the world! I got to see two Suffolk Punches in one day.

“I may never see one again in person and there are people in the world who may never see one at all. It was such an amazing opportunity.”

Now organisers are asking for people to get involved with next year’s events.

The Lancashire Heavy Horse show takes place on August 26 and 27, 2022, and the Great Harwood Agricultural Show will be held on June 4, 2022.

To find out more, visit the group’s Facebook page.

Chameleon Photography Photographer Phia Tattersall presents one of the prizes to supreme ridden champion Catherine Hodge and Clydesdale horse Doura Oakley at the Lancashire Heavy Horse Show.

Grappy Equestrian Rare Suffolk Punch heavy horse Grane Valley Henry ridden by Lauren Bull

Grappy Equestrian Doura Oakley, a Clydesdale horse ridden by Catherine Hodge