For 60 years the Sampson Percheron horses have had the most important duty at Ringwood Carnival; leading the Carnival Royalty carriage.

The Sampson family kindly started the tradition of pulling the Queen’s carriage in 1954 with their wonderful Percheron horses. The traditional jangling sound of the horses’ tack is unique and signifies the start of Ringwood Carnival! The Committee are very grateful to the Sampson family and their kind generosity year after year.

Sampson Queen

Also forming part of the Carnival Court are the Town Mayor, Deputy Mayor and their respective partners. The dignitary heads up the procession and will always be hosted in a feature car – the chosen car is a surprise on the big day! Ringwood Carnival feel it is important our Town Council is well represented and leads out the town’s Carnival.   

How are our Royalty Selected?

We partner with Poulner Junior School & Ringwood Junior School; our Carnival team runs a competition at both to select a Prince & Princess from each school.  Pupils are asked to complete a questionnaire, including why they would like to represent their school at Ringwood Carnival, why they would like to be an ambassador and part of the Carnival Court. Our judging panel then select who they feel are most appropriate, have answered the questions clearly and would be an excellent representative for Carnival.   

How the Royalty Float is prepared…

Dedicated members of the Carnival team prepare and decorate the Royalty Float (known as the Dias) ready for the Carnival Royalty on Carnival day. It is not a case of ‘bunging some plants’ on; each year’s theme is carefully chosen and planned well in advance. From there, the sourcing and preparatory work kicks in – gathering plants, shrubs, flowers, foliage and all things nature in accordance with the years theme. For two days prior to Carnival, the Dias is carefully prepared and dressed in readiness for the royalty on their big day. The result is one truly magnificent start to our parades!