Nowadays the 'Horses' are resplendent in their elaborate outfits but in the past a few bits of decoration would have been sewn on to a boys Sunday suit or a school jacket - just for the day. Later it may have been handed on as it was outgrown, this perhaps led to more outstanding costumes and the competition grew from year to year.
Many of these outfits have been in the same family for several generations. The ladies would spend hours during the winter months making, altering, or adding to existing costumes. Some outfits are new, but all are equally stunning, with close attention being made to detail of the original horse in harness.
The 'horses' parade and are judged on the harness being authentic, and decoration is very much a matter of individual taste.
