Fall fairs are in full swing when the leaves start to fall, but for me the season doesn’t begin until the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show begins. Why? Horse shows – both English and Western – are a focus!

Now (2019) it’s 179th year, The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, starts midweek. If you can get there Wednesday or Thursday, I recommend it. First, because crowds are a little small (though you will have to dodge school groups) and there’s two days of equestrian jumping competition – my sport of choice.

I can sit for hours and watch horses jump obstacles or walk, trot and canter in circles during flat classes, Why? I have no idea. But I love to and this year watching was made much easier thanks to sun and (almost) t-shirt temperatures.

Prior days of dry weather also kept the ground safe (unlike previous years), and the newly constructed and re-configured rings keep both competitors and spectators safer. Thick new sand and jumps helped too.

Norfolk County Fair Horse Show Highlights:

• Equestrian Hunter Jumping runs Wednesday, 9 am to 2pm
• Equestrian Show Jumping runs Thursday, 9 am to early afternoon.
• For Western fans, Western Competitions start Sunday at 9 am (along with a miniature horse show at 9:30);
• Ultimate Cowboy Challenge is Monday at 10 am.

Also at the fair: vendors of deep fried food of course, including everything poutine; giant vegetable competitions; livestock judging; craft beers and wines and the strangely popular demolition car derby.

Beside the horse show, checkout the popular Flavour Fest Indoor Farmer’s Market where you can buy produce, artisanal products and cheese from a variety of local vendors by pay at the cash – grocery store style.  (Food is healthier there too).

The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show runs October 8 to 14, 2019 at the Norfolk Fair Grounds, 172 South Road, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. Admission is $12 (plus $8 parking).