BYGONE DAYS: Horses get a fair showing at Dromore Horse Fair

Sadly what was the Dromore Horse Fair has passed into history.
Victoria Gardiner, 10, from Lurgan was pretty sure her pony Mr Appleby could win most events at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. The News Letter reported that thousands of horse enthusiasts from Great Britain and Eire, as well as every county in Ulster, had travelled to the fair. There were 17 showing classes, which were all well supported, but it was the well groomed heavy breeds which stole the limelight. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archivesVictoria Gardiner, 10, from Lurgan was pretty sure her pony Mr Appleby could win most events at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. The News Letter reported that thousands of horse enthusiasts from Great Britain and Eire, as well as every county in Ulster, had travelled to the fair. There were 17 showing classes, which were all well supported, but it was the well groomed heavy breeds which stole the limelight. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archives
Victoria Gardiner, 10, from Lurgan was pretty sure her pony Mr Appleby could win most events at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. The News Letter reported that thousands of horse enthusiasts from Great Britain and Eire, as well as every county in Ulster, had travelled to the fair. There were 17 showing classes, which were all well supported, but it was the well groomed heavy breeds which stole the limelight. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archives

But while looking through the old News Letter negatives files during lockdown I was lucky enough to come across a number of photos from October 1989 which have captured the fair for posterity.

Among the thousands who attended the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair in October 1989 there were enthusiasts from Great Britain and Eire, as well as from every county in Northern Ireland.

The 17 showing classes were well supported with the well-groomed heavy breeds stealing the limelight.

The experts cast a beady eye over the stock during judging at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archivesThe experts cast a beady eye over the stock during judging at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archives
The experts cast a beady eye over the stock during judging at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archives

The sale of animals and “horsey gear” took on a new format that year, reported the News Letter, “with street bartering reviving memories of a bygone age”.

Dromore auctioneer and horse fair founder-member Billy Draffin had the knack of “settling the pace for bargaining” and good prices were realised for horses, ponies and donkeys.

An exhibition by the Rare Breeds Society drew a lot of attention, “and with diversification being the order of the day”, a pet dog show and a display of bantams introduced a note of variety to the fair.

Meanwhile the art of horse-shoeing always produced a stream of admirers and expert farrier Irvine Smyth from Waringstown was on hand for demonstrations.

Pamela Morton, 10, keeps a firm rein on her pony Sally at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archivesPamela Morton, 10, keeps a firm rein on her pony Sally at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archives
Pamela Morton, 10, keeps a firm rein on her pony Sally at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archives

Various sideshows added to the carnival atmosphere and the Punch and Judy stand in the town square delighted excited youngsters.

About 40 market stalls did a roaring trade, with the goods on offer including the ever-popular dulce and yellow man.

The horse fair committee had its own stand, with an abundance of souvenirs, many depicting famous landmarks around Dromore.

The highlight of the day was a cavalcade of vintage vehicles, and the colourful turnout of the Co Down staghounds headed a delightful array of horse and pony-drawn traps, gigs and carts of yesteryear.

Lynne McCormick, seven, and her dad Robert put Cindy Sue through her paces at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archivesLynne McCormick, seven, and her dad Robert put Cindy Sue through her paces at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archives
Lynne McCormick, seven, and her dad Robert put Cindy Sue through her paces at the seventh annual Dromore Horse Fair which was held in the Co Down town in October 1989. Picture: Trevor Dickson/News Letter archives

Horse fair committee chairman Robert Baird said months of careful planning had once more paid off.

Do you have any memories of the Dromore Horse Fair? Do you have any photos of from the old fair? Get in touch, email: [email protected].