FAIR FEAR
I’m a gypsy & I’m sick of people saying Appleby horse fair is dangerous – you’ll only get run over if you’re a simpleton
Scroll down to find out more about the history of the famous traveller event
A GYPSY has shared her thoughts on Appleby Horse Fair - after claims that the popular traveller event is ‘dangerous’.
Around 10,000 travellers flocked to Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, at the weekend to buy and sell steeds.
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They brought with them more than 1,000 caravans and 3,000 horse-drawn vehicles to the event, which dates back to the 1770s.
The annual meet-up sees animals to be traded tethered to railings outside pubs and shops on the market town's main street.
The centuries-old event is considered the biggest in Europe for the travelling community.
It has only ever been cancelled twice - one in 2001 amid a foot and mouth disease breakout and again in 2020 due to coronavirus.
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The fair originated in the 1770s on Gallows Hill where sheep, cattle and horse dealers went to sell their stock and by the 1900s, it had evolved into an event for travellers.
But after claims that the popular event is “dangerous”, a gypsy girl who is known online as ‘Cuzin Suzy’, was keen to share the “truth” about the fair.
Posting on social media, Suzy hit back at haters, as she said: “First off, Appleby is not dangerous - it’s been going on for many, many, many years.”
Suzy slammed claims that the event is “dangerous” as “ridiculous”, as she shared: “There is no danger there, I’ve never heard such a ridiculous, stupid amount of people saying ‘it’s dangerous at Appleby’. No it’s not.
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“If you’re standing in the middle of a road like a simpleton, you’re going to get over - if you keep out of the way of the horses, you’re not going to get hurt.”
Suzy then addressed claims that animal cruelty occurs at Appleby, as she continued: “The other thing I keep seeing is that it’s animal cruelty - please, lord almighty, people have been keeping horses since horses have been around, I’ve never heard such stupid things.”
Travellers arrive for Appleby fair
The mother also explained that traveller men take more care of their horses than they do their own wives.
In addition to this, Suzy concluded: “And then they’re talking about people leaving rubbish everywhere - if you go to Glastonbury, the amount of rubbish that’s being left behind is unbelievable, but no-one ever talks about that, do they?”
What is Appleby Horse Fair?
The Appleby Horse Fair in Appleby-in-Westmoreland, Cumbria, attracts about 10,000 travellers every year to buy and sell horses.
More than 1,000 caravans and 3,000 horse-drawn vehicles house them, while the number of visitors also hits the tens of thousands.
The fair plays host to members of travelling communities.
They flock to the remote town to celebrate the 250-year-old event.
It has only been cancelled twice, in 2001 due to foot-and-mouth disease and in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
The fair originated in the 1770s on Gallows Hill where sheep, cattle and horse dealers went to sell their stock.
By the 1900s it had evolved into an event for travellers.
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 135,300 views.
Social media users were quick to flock to the comments to share their thoughts on the Appleby horse fair.
I went yesterday and loved it
TikTok user
One person said: “I was at Appleby yesterday and it was a great atmosphere - safe, friendly and the horses were well looked after. It was a great day out.”
Another added: “I live in Appleby and I love it. I wouldn't miss it for the world.”
A third commented: “I went yesterday and loved it.”
Meanwhile, someone else beamed: “Appleby is brilliant. I'm a non-traveller but yet I’ve been and I love it. I know loads of people that go.”
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At the same time, another user wrote: “I was there yesterday. What a fantastic day and amazing atmosphere. Once again, roll on next year.”
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