All the fun of the fair

Fed up of the wet weather and limited daylight? Then head to the Scottish Equine Fair, where there is a range of horse-related delights to entertain you this weekend (6-7 December).

Highlights include displays from the Scottish Carriage Driving Association and driving maestro Gary Docking; performances by stunt team The Devil’s Horsemen (pictured, photo by Fotofire); a parade of Shetlands and rare Eriskay ponies; Boris, the pantomime Clydesdale, who will be raising money for The Anthony Nolan Trust and a “meet the experts” area.

The event will also host a special demonstration of rehabilitated International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) horses, with Suzie Mennie, head girl at Belwade Farm, announcing their arrival on a set of bagpipes.

The ILPH horses include:

• Caper, rescued from Northern Ireland and now a driving pony
• Aurora Borealis, who came to the ILPH as a three-year-old with no co-ordination and kept falling over, but is now a vaulting horse for the Scottish team
• Hamilton and Glespin, who now work the beat with the Strathclyde Mounted Police
• Mac and Baron, formerly of Fairways Horse Sanctuary in Perthshire, who are now with Glasgow City Council
• Juno, the rescued pony who features on the ILPH’s Christmas raffle tickets

For those looking to do some Christmas shopping, an equestrian shopping village is also on site, so bring your credit cards to ensure you don’t miss out on that perfect present.

The fair is open from 9am-5pm on both days. Admission costs £9 for adults, £6 under-16’s, £8 for OAPs and is free for under-fives. A family ticket (two adults and two children) costs £25.

For further information (tel: 01884 841644) or visit www.contour.uk.net

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