- Sulky racing dropped from programme last year
- Protests have caused other events to be dropped
Organisers have decided to scale back the number of activities at Ballinasloe Horse Fair, following disturbances at last year’s festival, when racing was not facilitated.
The official opening and music events will not proceed on Sunday October 2.
The decision follows disturbances at last year’s fair when a number of people who wanted to engage in “the trots”, sulky racing competitions protested.
Galway County Council said that it could no longer facilitate the races, on the advice of insurers. A number of people forced their way into the lunging ring in what one observer described as a “near riot situation”.
While three days of horse sales will take place on the town’s Fair Green as planned next month, other events are being cancelled.
The festival’s organising committee says it has made the “difficult decision” not to hold lunging competitions on the opening weekend of the fair.
It is understood that efforts to reach a compromise have not been successful and the lunging events, where sellers showcase their horses, have been cancelled this year.
Ballinsalsoe’s ancient horse fair is one of Ireland’s oldest festivals and was allegedly the palce where Napoleon’s horse, Marengo was bought.
