The Best At Appleby

09/06/2026

Best at Appleby vet Nicola has a chat with Daisy’s owner Lucy shortly after they won the Best at Appleby People’s Choice for 2026! 🫶🐴🏵️🏆🎉

07/06/2026

Well done to everyone who acted so quickly, and good to hear the pony was safe and well after it’s swimming adventure 🐴🫶

06/06/2026

We are extremely upset to hear this today. 💔

If you have any information that will lead us to establish what happened to this horse, please approach an RSPCA or police officer or call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 and quote incident number 01822356.

Appeal for information after horse found dead at Appleby Horse Fair.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a horse died at Appleby Horse Fair this afternoon (Saturday 6th June 2026).

Animal welfare officers attended a grass verge on the unnamed road into Brampton from the south at 12.40pm. They were assisted by vets, fire and rescue officers and police.

The piebald gelding, who’s approximately 14hh, has distinctive markings, being mostly white with black patches, all white legs with feathers and a black tail.

Vets have aged him as being between five and seven. He was not shod and looks to have been recently gelded.

What appears to have been a trader’s mark sprayed on the horse’s body in blue/green paint has been altered in an apparent attempt to disguise the trader's identity.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Lyndsey Taylor said: “This is a very upsetting incident.

“At the moment we don’t know the cause of this horse’s death, but it seems as though he may have died in suspicious circumstances.

“We are looking for evidence of him being worked, handled or traded and want to hear from the person responsible for him, or anyone who can help us to identify them.

“Do you know what colour sulky or tack was he wearing? Was he tied to a horsebox? Can you give us any numberplates associated with him if he’s been pulled off a lorry?

“If you have any information that will lead us to establish what happened to this horse, please approach an RSPCA or police officer or call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 and quote incident number 01822356.”

06/06/2026

📣 VOTING CLOSED AT 9am - look out for our People’s Champion announcement later today! 🎉🏵️🏆

Many thanks to the sponsors and prize givers:
Redwings Horse Sanctuary
TGCA Breed Association
SPILLERS
National Equine Welfare Council
Ponease

06/06/2026

A Best at Appleby Award has been presented to young owner Merelli and her pony Buzz! 👏🎉🏵️

Nicola got chatting to Merelli and her friend Ebony whilst roaming the Fair. They were chatting about Ebony’s pony Strawberry, who met a lot of the Best at Apple criteria but was overweight (hopefully see Strawberry again next year).

Nicola was impressed by Merelli’s interest in body condition scoring and asked to have to have a look at her pony Buzz too.

Merelli’s dedication to Buzz’s wellbeing was clear to see, as was her enthusiasm to learn more about year-round care.

At 16, to have such a passion for horses and being understanding of his needs, like how he was resting in a shady spot away from the busy areas, made Merelli a worthy recipient of a Best at Appleby Award!

She even got up at 6am this morning to get him looking smart ready for his winner photos!

Well done Merelli and Buzz! 🎉🫶🏵️

REMEMBER- voting for the People’s Champion opens on Saturday once we have presented all six Best at Appleby Awards, so look out for our round-up post on Saturday to vote for your favourite to decide the 2026 People’s Champion.

Many thanks to the sponsors and prize givers:
Redwings Horse Sanctuary
TGCA Breed Association
SPILLERS
National Equine Welfare Council
Ponease

06/06/2026

Saturday 6th June 2026

Jen is Brooke’s Global Animal Welfare Advisor and she will be hosting today’s ‘Ask the Expert’ session at the NEWC tent at Salt Tip Corner at 1pm.

Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys