Six shire horse team to appear for the first time at London Harness Horse Parade

Waldburg Shires six shire horse team pulling the Youngs brewery dray

The only six shire horse team regularly seen in this country will be appearing for the first time at this year’s annual London Harness Horse Parade on Easter Monday. The magnificent sight of the famous Waldburg Shires pulling the Youngs brewery dray is a spectacle not to miss. They will take their place in an event first started in 1885 and, this Easter Monday 13th April, featuring over a hundred historic horse drawn carts and carriages together with vintage and classic cars, tractors, vans and motorbikes. The Waldburg team of six shire horses have the honour of pulling the Lord Mayor of London’s gold state coach through the City of London each November. It is quite a sight to watch the skill of the driver guiding six large horses and the organisers of the London Harness Horse Parade are delighted that Easter Monday visitors can see this world-renowned team in action at the South of England Centre, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TL.

This annual Easter event depicting transport through the ages is excellent value for a family costing just £10 per adult with children and parking free. The event will also feature stationary engines, trade stands, refreshments and horse drawn wagon rides. Details and timings at www.lhhp.co.uk

Any owner of a cart or carriage or historic vehicle is welcome to take part in the parade to depict transportation through the ages. The annual event is an amalgamation of The London Cart Horse Parade (first started in 1885) and the London Van Horse Parade (started in 1904). Generations of carriage-driving families make the annual Easter pilgrimage to the Parade and the current President, WA Gilbey, is a direct descendant of the founder of the London Cart Horse Parade, Sir Walter Gilbey Bart.

The closing date for entries is 1st March and schedules are available to download from www.lhhp.co.uk. News at www.facebook.com/LHHparade or @LHHparade. Email lhhp@edenbridge-show.co.uk or telephone 01737 646132 if you would like to be put on the mailing list or for trade stand enquiries. The schedule includes details of the many awards and rosettes available to entrants including The Sir Walter Gilbey Memorial for the best pre-1940 vehicles and the John Young Memorial Award for exhibits turned out in a traditional manner but not driving a pre-1940s vehicle.