Horse market

The Limpurg Land Folk Festival

» History of the horse market

Every second Monday in February horse lovers and coach and team enthusiasts meet in Gaildorf. The origins of the Gaildorf horse market can be traced back to the regional agricultural shows after 1900. The Gaildorf Farmers' Days were held here until mid-1920s.

Thanks to the former “Pferdezuchtverein für Kaltblut “ (horse breeding club for cold-blooded animals) and senior veterinary surgeon Dr. Fritz Bickele, the first horse market was held in 1928 to “improve horse-breeding“.

From the 19th century up to the early 1950s, the horse markets really were markets where horses would be sold by farmers with high hopes. Many a breeder could improve his income after some hard bargaining by selling a breeding mare or a cold-blooded foal.

» The horse market today

Today, the horse market is one of the largest public festivals in the Limpurg Land and draws between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors from near and far every year.

On Saturdays, the best teams and coaches are awarded prizes at the Carters Fair on Kocherwiesen field on the banks of the River Kocher.

On Sunday, Gaildorf’s shopkeepers keep their stores open all day for business. Further highlights of the programme of events on Sunday is the horse show and sale in the riding hall and the stallions presentation.

On Monday morning, the horse awards ceremony on Kocherwiesen field attracts scores of horse lovers. The main events on Monday afternoon are the grand parade through Gaildorf and the flea market for which 150 traders set up their stalls.

The horse market is accompanied by an agricultural show on the riding-hall grounds and talks given by experts as well as other cultural events.