Horse trading with Travellers and Romani Gypsies – in pictures

Photographer Sam Wright was warned not to attend a horse fair with his camera. He ignored the prejudice – and found a warm, welcoming community

Morning at Ballinasloe

Over two years, photographer Sam Wright visited eight fairs across the UK and Ireland to create a contemporary portrait of the resilient and vibrant Traveller and Romani Gypsy communities. Pillar to Post provides a counterpoint to the stigmatising TV show depictions of such communities. Here, the Murhouse family ready their horses for the annual Ballinasloe fair. The father tends to the older horse, while his son cares for the foal. Horse trading, a tradition passed down through generations, appears to be very much a family business. Pillar to Post is published by Gost

James and his bird

Sam Wright: ‘It was very clear that many people have misunderstood Travellers and Romani Gypsies, and I was shocked by the open prejudice towards this community. I wanted to tell the real story of the people I met and counter the misrepresentative media portrayal.’ You can read an interview with photographer Sam Wright here: ‘They are the last community people are openly racist about’

Haggling at the horse fair, CJ Larry (centre) in Buttevant, County Cork

‘As mounting challenges threaten the Traveller and Romani Gypsy communities, I believe it’s time for a positive change in attitudes, and I hope this project contributes to that shift.’ This image was one of the finalists for the Taylor Wessing portrait prize, which is currently showing at the National Portrait Gallery, London, until 16 February. You can see a gallery of the winners and finalists here

Connor

‘Connor wears a designer tracksuit while riding his horse, blending tradition and modernity. The horse symbolises heritage and rural life, while the Armani tracksuit and Nike Shox represent contemporary style and urban culture’

Bobby

‘Bobby, son of Francis Doherty, an Irish Traveller. Despite Francis facing ostracism and now living a settled life, he maintains his children’s ties to their community by teaching Bobby Traveller values and traditions at horse fairs’

Nicholson family portrait

Wright began his project at Appleby horse fair – the largest annual gathering of Traveller and Romani people which has taken place since 1775

Market field

Before he visited the fair he was warned not to attend – he was told there would be trouble and that his equipment would be stolen – demonstrating the widespread prejudice facing the often misrepresented and maligned community. In spite of warnings, he persisted and was warmly welcomed, quickly building relationships with a number of families as he listened to and recorded their stories on film and in photographs

Joanna and Mariah

‘As the night draws in at Appleby horse fair Joanna and Mariah meet up to have fun at the fair away from the family camps. Appleby is a place where a culture at a crossroads can be seen. As communities and generations converge, their desires, beliefs, and interests, and the differences between them, rise to the surface’

Tom O’Reilly

Focusing particularly on the young, these photographs show the co-existence of tradition and modernity and create a record of the endangered community as land for them to inhabit becomes increasingly scarce

Pamela, Mary and Melissa McDonagh

‘The McDonagh sisters embodied the vibrancy and attitude of the Irish Traveller community, reflecting pride in their heritage through their appearance’

Father and son

This is one of Wright’s favourite images, depicting the warm bond and respect between multi-generational families and friends

Ballinasloe Gallway

‘An Irish Traveller family, dressed in their finest clothes enjoying a fun moment together. This image celebrates their strong family bonds and the pride they take in their culture’

Moorhouse wagon

‘This quiet moment between a young man and horse as he prepared it for sale caught my eye. Trades are passed down through generations ensuring a strong connection to the roots and heritage of the community’

Last moments of the fair, Ballinasloe green

After his first fair, Wright went on to visit others across Yorkshire, Norfolk, Cumbria, Galway and Cork