The Abingdon Horse Show took place today. This well organised event features six riding arenas, some for show jumping and others for leading horses by hand, or more dressage style events.

The day was so hot that owners could be seen trying to keep their horses shaded as much as possible. I dare say there could have been even more competitors if it had not been so hot.

I watched show jumping in one riding arena. Most of the jumps had horizontal bars, in doubles or singles, which the horses jumped with ease, but one particular wavey bar caused a lot of problems – like jumping a visual illusion.

There were fun events such as fancy dress or the horse and hounds pictured above. First the hound had to jump round then the horse.

In times gone by Abingdon Races were held not far from this spot on Culham Heath. The 2 to 3 days of horse racing were held on what was then unenclosed land, near the River Thames. Press cuttings from the time give us a picture of those days. For example from entries in Jackson’s Journal from Sept 19. 1767. we can read that as well as the races on the “Fine Racing Ground” where “Horses may be seen quite round from an easy Eminence” there was also afterwards “a concert at the Council Chamber“, “a New Four Wheeled Post-Chaise raffled at the Crown and Thistle” and “A Cock Match at the New Inn, in Abingdon.”

Our town has an amazing Heritage. Some people even claim it is the oldest continually inhabited town in the country.