THE Oxford Horse Show was one of the highlights of the city’s summer calendar.

But organisers faced a continual struggle to balance the books, and every year, the future of the event seemed to be in doubt.

The show was held on the Iffley Road rugby ground and running track on the early August Bank Holiday Monday.

A copy of the official handbook and programme for the 1963 show was found by Rosemary Maud, of Hereford, in the belongings of her mother, Agnes Jacobs.

As usual, there had been doubts that the show would go ahead, following a £600 loss in 1962 because of rain.

Prospects looked grim when Oxford City Council refused by five votes to give a £1,000 grant.

The show was saved by donations from wellwishers.

In fact, the weather was kind in 1963, more than 5,000 people attended and nearly £1,250 was raised, easily wiping out the earlier deficit.

Show secretary Jim Cox told the Oxford Mail at the time: “The show will go on, but we would be much happier if we could rest from our money-making tasks.

“You can’t keep on getting money from the few for a show which attracts so many. It is too worrying. The show is being run on a shoestring.”

Among the economies the organisers had made was the axing of the civic lunch for the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and other dignitaries.

The show continued for two more years, but then the organisers decided that enough was enough.

The abolition of the first August Bank Holiday and the resignation of Mr Cox, secretary for 15 years, were the final straws. Another Oxford tradition was consigned to the history books.

Mrs Maud has copies of the 1955, 1957 and 1961 programmes as well as one for 1963 and would be happy to pass them to a collector. Call her on 07588 615667.