Heavy Friends

It's full name is the Haddenham Steam Rally And Heavy Horse Show, so I'd better show you a few pictures of our weighty equine companions.

They are all turned out beautifully for the show which takes place in a corner of the huge field, away from the noise of the machines and the bustle of the crowd.

I know these stocky, short-legged chesnut horses are Suffolk Punches, a breed well-suited for farm work on the heavy soils of East Anglia, so it's fitting that they should be here alongside the steam engines and tractors who followed them in doing the hard graft of agriculture. 

I believe the dappled grey is a Percheron; most Percherons are that colour. They came originally from Western France and were first bred as war-horses in much the same way as our English Shire Horses are descended from the Great Horse which was developed to carry armoured knights.

There were special classes for mares with their foals. The gentleman in black is one of the competition judges while tweeds and flat caps are usually favoured by horse-people of both sexes.

Even quite small horsemen can be seen wearing caps.

It's necessary to keep ones strength up with a quick snack of hay.

The parading and judging seemed to go on throughout the day, though it was easier to take pictures while they were awaiting their turn in the ring.

I'm sure that horses understand exactly what is required when they pose for a photo. And just to finish off here are some beautifully carved wooden horses on the carousel.

Take care.