orcester Township is home to an unusual antiquity that has crossed from the 19th century into the 21st century. The Farmers Union Horse Company for the Recovery of Stolen Horses and Detecting the thieves was first chartered in Pennsylvania in 1834 as a farmers cooperative insurance company For nearly
70 years, on the first Saturday in June,
members rode or drove their horses to
Fairview v illage to register them for
another year. For a nominal fee the
member farmers would then
guarantee to seek out any missing
horses. All the records, except for
a few years that are lost, are still in
the Horse Company's possession.
It is interesting to note that there was
not a rash of horse thieving going on
in the Township. More often than not,
they rescued a loose or roaming horse.
Early in the 20th century with the use of
tractors and trucks, the Horse Company
disbanded.
In 1940, a group of Worcester residents decided to relive the "old days" and reenact the parade to Fairview Village on the first Saturday in June. The Farmers Union Parade and Horse Show became a new Tradition for Fairview Village. For 60 years there was a parade up Germantown Pike to Heyser Field where a Horse Show ran all day. In it's glory days of the 50's and 60's the Parade would take over an hour to pass along it's route. Again, the changing times dictated. Many of the local horse owners sold their land or moved away. The number of spectators and participants dwindled and the parade lost it's appeal. In 2000, the last annual parade made its way up Germantown Pike.
Thanks to the generosity of John Heyser, the Horse Show tradition continues on the first Saturday of June at Heyser Field. Heyser Field is located behind Fairview Village Community Hall, Fairview Village. The Horse Show is as popular as ever. The possibility always excists that a revival parade could take place if there was enough community interest.
The Horse Company is always looking for new members. Horse ownership is not required, just a desire to be part of a historical group that has fun. If you are interested in joining or just willing to help at our Horse Show on the first Saturday in June, please contact Marty at 610-584-5348 or come to one of our meetings at Markleys Insurance Company (,Germantown Pike and Church Road , Fairview Village, Pennsylvania. ) Meetings are held the first Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m.
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