New look for National Stud Fair

Visitors to The National Stud’s new July Fair this week (8-10 July) can look forward to a packed programme of entertainment including jousting, polo, carriage driving, the Household Cavalry’s Musical Ride, equine parades and sheep dog displays.

Taking place alongside Newmarket’s July Cup race meeting and the Tattersalls Sales, this “Celebration of the Horse” will have more than 100 trade stands selling everything from equestrian equipment and country clothing to gifts, fashion, fine art, jewellery, handbagsand accessories, alongside arena displays.

The Cambridge & Newmarket Polo Club will be playing to raise funds for Friends of Newmarket Day Centre, while the speed and agility of polo ponies will be tested in a “sports car versus polo pony” challenge.

Other arena attractions include a pageant of horse drawn carriages and displays featuring Britain’s 11 native horses and ponies, including working displays by Suffolk Punches, Shires and a Clydesdale with a brewers dray.

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), a charity established by the BHB to provide care, retraining and re-homing of former racehorses, will be presenting Thoroughbred horses which have gone on to success in new disciplines, including showing, dressage, side-saddle, polo and endurance.

The event will also include a parade showing the full cycle of a Thoroughbred’s life, starring famous NH and flat racehorses, as well as National Stud stallions and retrained racehorses.

Non-equestrian members of the family cannot fail to be entertained by One Man and His Dog winner, Katie Cropper, who will demonstrate her skills alongside geese and turkey racing, racing sheep with “jockeys”, ducks and Katie’s own famous Fell pony, Eric.

The National Stud July Fair is open from 9am until 9pm on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursday. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children. Combined discounted tickets, which also give access to the races, are also available.

For details (tel: 08707 203010) or visit: www.nationalstudfair.co.uk