Get to know East London better (7)
Back in April this year we saw posters on lampposts advertising the East London Show. It promised that visitors would be entertained by horse events, cattle auctions, flea markets, various food stalls and even a fun fair. We thought it would be fun to visit the event on a Saturday morning and to enjoy the show.
When we got to the Gonubie Farmers Hall Show Grounds at 10am, the parking area on an open piece of farmland was almost full – it seems the whole of East London was there! We bought coffee and walked over to the fun fair.
Kids on the swings
The little ones (and their parents) enjoyed a train ride
The Big Wheel was quite popular
After enjoying the exuberance of the kids at the fun fair, we moved on to the agricultural part of the fair (after buying hotdogs).
Farm implement
More farm implements
Cattle for the auction section
We walked through some tents where there were many stalls. It was great to see all the handmade items such as candles, jewellery, leather items and paintings. There were also many plants, spices and preserves stalls.
The most popular tent was probably the beer tent with live entertainment. However, it was a little too early for that and we walked to the arenas where the horse competitions took place. Here the show riding and show jumping were in full action.
Winners of the show riding
Show riding
How adorable is this little girl and her pony?
Finally, we found a bench next to the main arena where we sat and watched the elegant horses and their jockeys compete in the show jumping.
Show jumping arena
A flawless performance by this girl and her horse
Such beautiful horses
This little girl and her horse were firm favourites with the crowd
And they were pretty good too
We had a fun morning at the East London Show. We’ve been to bigger shows than this one, but we really liked the vibe at this show. We enjoyed chips and ketchup at one of the many seating areas before leaving.
Not the healthiest meal in the world, but it filled the spot
Next year we will make sure we don’t miss the Boerboel (dog) show.
Wet and Dusty Roads 
How fun! Fairs are the “fall” thing to do here, but ours don’t have the equestrian events, which I would love to see. My favorite part is eating the food that I wouldn’t eat anywhere else. Those chips/fries and ketchup look so good! Have a wonderful week.
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Because I love people watching so much, a fair is a great opportunity for this. For me, the horses were definitely a highlight – it was nice to observe the special bond between rider and horse.
Oh yes, I forgot chips are actually called fries in other parts of the world 😉.
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Lovely Corna. As you probably already know, I’m a big fan of country fairs and this one looks really nice too!
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Yes, while I was writing the post, I remembered that you also like country fairs. The farming community is quite large outside East London and it was nice to see all their local produce at the various stalls.
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I always love seeing handmade items and would much rather have something like that than something mass-produced. As a little girl I so wanted a horse and I still love them but have never been able to get close enough to befriend one. I’m sure that chips once in a while are good for you.
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When I was in high school, I spent many weekends with friends on their farms and then we always went for long rides on their horses – such great memories. Yes, I also like handmade items – no two are the same and you can always tell that a lot of effort has gone into it.
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Sounds like a decent show and another good introduction to your East London surroundings. You’re definitely getting to know it better…
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We were surprised to see how big the farming community is around East London … we actually thought the show would be a lot smaller. Ha, every time we “discovered” an event I think now we know everything about East London and then something else pops up – a small city full of surprises 🙂.
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A local fair is always a great place to get to know your neighbors and see their talents. My daughter did show jumping when she was a teenager. It’s such an elegant sport, but I was always on pins and needles when she was riding; talk about praying without ceasing! Lovely post Corna.
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While walking through the stalls, it was great to chat to some of the locals – they are really talented (and innovative). You’re right Tricia, show jumping is a very elegant sport, but I always hold my breath while the horses have to jump over the beams … I can only imagine how nerve-wracking it must have been for you as a mother! Hope you have a nice day!
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It was a nail biting situation for sure!
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I wondered if you rode but I saw in the comments that you have done. I’ve never been to a live event but have watched them on TV. Always amazed at the skill and communication between horse and rider.
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I really enjoyed riding the horses on the farm – it was a nice way to explore the farm and surroundings without tiring you out 😉. And you’re right, when a rider treats his/her horse with love, that horse will do (mostly) anything you ask of it.
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🤗🩷
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Wraggies iets van alles en nog wat!
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Ha, ja dis ‘n tipiese skou soos ons dit ken … dalk kleiner as waaraan ons gewoond is, maar daar was nie ‘n tekort aan gees nie 😉.
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I’m such a fan of these types of events. I have fond memories of going to fall fairs and fall harvest festivals when I was a kid, which showcased similar things and activities. This one looked very nicely organized.
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We also attended many fun fairs and shows as kids – these were especially popular in the countryside. So, the East London Show brought back so many good memories … it seems some things never change 😉.
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Ek was so lanklaas by ‘n propperse skou! Altyd lekker om na die ruiters en hulle perde te kyk!
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Ons was baie by plattelandse skoue toe ons nog in Namakwaland gebly het en toe ‘n paar keer by die buitelug Expo daar naby Malmesbury. Hierdie een in Oos-Londen het my weer herinner aan die kleintyd skoue wat ons altyd bygewoon het …soms dink ek tyd het stil gestaan hier in die Oos Kaap 😉.
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Dis wonderlik. Ek sou dink dat dit baie herinneringe meebring. Bly julle het dit gaan bywoon.
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What a lovely community day out – and can’t beat chips and ketchup 🙂
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It was a fun outing, that’s for sure Hannah 🙂. The stalls were a treat and I enjoyed the girls and their horses (almost as much as those chips and ketchup)!
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Ag heerlik, vat jy my nou terug na my kinderdae. Ons was altyd op die Randse paasskou, my pa was boer. En daar was al die lekker goed waarop ons kon ry, maar ons het ook na die beeste gaan kyk, skape, varke en so aan. Dan het ons natuurlik ook gekyk na die perde en die ruiters – sommiges wat selfs in karretjies agter die perde gery het.
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Ek reken die Randse paasskou is seker die grootste skou in die land … word dit nog gehou? O ja, ek onthou die karretjies met perde. Ons het dit baie in Springbok in Namakwaland gesien en ook in Clanwilliam. Dis plekke met groot boere gemeenskappe en daar was altyd so baie diere om te sien. Ek het een jaar op die “dive bomber” gery en was vreeslik naar – ek wou amper in die lug uitklim 😁.
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Ek lag nou lekker, in die lug uitklim! Daai een wat onder mens se voete wegraak het my laat paniekerig raak
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A wonderful day out on a beautifully clear and sunny day. I would’ve enjoyed watching the horse show – they are such noble and elegant animals. However, food stalls and flea markets, would have been enough alone to hook me in for the event. I do like your choice of food. Hotdogs, chips and ketchup, though not healthy options, are among my favourite fairground meals.
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I enjoyed everything about the show so much. It was fun to walk through all the interesting stalls and the horses were definitely a highlight. And there’s just something special about enjoying a hotdog at a fair, right (it’s almost mandatory) 😊.
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Fairs are so much fun, especially the food, and the kids work so hard to prepare for it.
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You’re right Diane, fun fairs are loads of fun! The only problem is that I eat hopelessly too much 😊.
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