This Easter Monday’s London Harness Horse Parade at the South of England Centre in Ardingly RH17 6TL will feature transport through the ages. The magnificent sight of over a hundred historic horse drawn carts and carriages together with vintage and classic cars, tractors, vans and motorbikes is a spectacle not to miss.
First started in 1885, this popular intergenerational Easter activity allows spectators to see the changes from horse drawn transport to mechanically propelled vehicles and 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.
th March 2016. This refund will be made in 2016 only as part of the Anniversary celebrations.
We are hoping that the 2016 Parade will be bigger and better than ever and would encourage as many people as possible to take part in this special Anniversary Parade.
We would also be delighted to hear from anybody whose family attended the 1966 Parade and has attended regularly ever since.
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 secretary@lhhp.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.
Richard Fuller, Board Director of Fuller’s Brewery and part of the brewing dynasty provides special rosettes to the best Young Whip. The Fuller’s Dray will again be giving rides to visitors during the day.
The Newcomers’ Award is bringing in a greater number and a wider variety of exhibitors. This award is open to all new exhibitors or exhibitors who have not entered the London Harness Horse Parade within the last five years. This will be determined by the Parade Secretary's records of entries based on the exhibitor and not the animal(s) or vehicle. All entries which qualify will receive a special rosette and a copy of the Centenary History Book "Parade", in addition to any other prizes. Only entries that come forward for judging at the parade will be eligible for this award. The Award is kindly sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Loriners as part of their continuing celebrations of their 750th anniversary of their grant of Ordinance.
The London Harness Horse Parade has been a popular Easter spectacle for 136 years, and in 2006 was forced to move from its central London location to the spacious, purpose-built South of England Centre in Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6TL with free parking and easier access. The Parade has since been expanded to include a display of the earliest motor cars to enhance the spectacle of how transport developed over the ages. In addition to the 100 + horse drawn vehicles the Parade will include vintage tractors, historic and classic cars , allowing spectators to experience the changes from horse drawn transport to mechanically propelled vehicles.
Special rosettes are offered by the The British Driving Society, The Clydesdale Horse Society, The Donkey Breed Society, The Friesian Horse Society, The Hackney Horse Society, The Percheron Horse Society, the Shire Horse Society, The Suffolk Horse Society, the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association and the Welsh Pony & Cob Society.
“The event is a chance for exhibitors to catch up with friends who support this unique event every year and to share the spectacle of their historic carriages and carts with the general public, all coming together for a wonderful Easter day out in the Sussex countryside. Enquiries and entries are coming in strongly now and we look set to have over a hundred fine carriages, carts and vehicles in the 136th annual Parade with a good cross-section of transport through the ages to entertain the spectators this Easter Monday”, said Jackie Shearman, the Parade Secretary. “I urge anyone who hasn’t taken part before or hasn’t joined us for a few years to support us this year and see just how much the Parade has expanded whilst still retaining the same family traditions from years gone by.”
The 2023 Parade will take place on Easter Monday 10th April, starting at 9 am with car exhibitors providing a static display whilst the Veterinary and Farriery inspections take place at 10 am , followed at 10.30 am by judging of the light and then heavy horse turnouts. The gates open at 8.00 am for spectators to watch the exhibits being prepared, admire the historic and classic vehicles in attendance and visit the trade stands to do some Easter shopping as well as enjoy refreshments. The Main Parade and presentation of prizes will take place following completion of judging and inspections at around 12.30pm.