Awards for the 30th annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 22 – 25 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced. Mike Loveland Jr. of Albion, Michigan, judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show.
Almost 50 draft horse exhibitors – traveling from California, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho and British Columbia – competed for approximately $30,000 in premium awards. The competitions took place during six performances over the four-day event.
The winner of the Ultimate Hitch competition was David and Patsy Cunningham of Meadowlake Belgians, from Carlton, OR.
Audrey Popoff of Unhitched Ranch, from Colton, CA was recognized as the outstanding lady driver for the third year in a row, accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.
The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to Mike Lorenzini, an honor bestowed upon him by the voting of his fellow teamsters. Lorenzini is from Lakeport, CA. The Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award went to Rick Newborn of Top Hand Ranch, Elverta, CA; and Abby Partridge of Partridge Percherons, Galt, CA, won the Youth of the Show award.
The Overall Supreme Champion horse, King, is owned by Unhitched Ranch of Colton, CA, and shown by Scott Banga. King was also awarded the Supreme Champion Gelding. Channell, owned by Rockin RP Ranch of Pleasant Grove, CA, and shown by Crystal Newborn was awarded the Supreme Champion Mare.
The Champion Matched Pair went to Rambo and Ike, shown by Lawrence McGibbon and owned by Carlaw Clydes of Cranbrook, British Columbia.
At the Harvest Fair, with more than 600 items entered, the Best of Division in the Scarecrows went to Pamela Raschke of Grass Valley; and the People’s Choice award for the Scarecrows went to Terry Hobart of Grass Valley.
A complete list of 2016 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners, is on the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ website.
The 2017 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 21 – 24. Tickets will go on sale on May 1, 2017.
Winner of the Ultimate Hitch Competition – Meadowlake Belgians, owned by David and Patsy Cunningham and based out of Carlton, OR – performs in the arena at the 2016 Draft Horse Classic.
Safe travels home to all our exhibitors and draft horse friends. Thank you for all your hard work at the Draft Horse Classic! See you in 2017.
Beautiful photo by Lenkaland Photography.
Join the beautiful draft horses for the 30th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 22 – 25, 2016 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Featuring six performances by the beautiful draft horses, this event has grown to become the premiere draft horse show in the western United States.
The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, rigs and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules. The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stabled on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.
In between classes, enjoy showcase specialty acts like Gladius the Show, an acrobatic equestrian production that incorporates aerialists, fire, and Roman riding. There’s also the California Cowgirls, chariot and chuck wagon races, and the Bobby Kerr Mustang Act.
Also taking place at the Fairgrounds during the four days of the Classic is the Harvest Fair. There’s western music, community exhibits, a clogging demonstration, and a horse shoeing competition. Visit Art at the Classic in the Main Street Center, where you’ll find artists’ booths filled with paintings, sculpture, photographs and jewelry. Or, shop along the walking paths for your favorite crafts, horse products, pottery, apparel and more. When you’re hungry and need a rest, pick your favorite treat, then wander over to the Pine Tree Stage and enjoy the musical entertainment. Of course, don’t forget a visit to the barns to meet the Draft Horses.
There are six performances featuring the beautiful Draft Horses – Thursday and Friday at 6:30 pm, Saturday at 10 am and 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 10 am and 4 pm – and there are a variety of ticket prices available. Ticket prices are $19 for reserved seating or $16 for general admission at the evening and late afternoon performances; $15 for reserved seating or $12 at the morning performances; and $13 for reserved seating or $10 for children’s tickets. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217 or visiting the Fairgrounds’ website at NevadaCountyFair.com. Tickets purchased after September 21 will be charged an additional $3 per ticket.
This year’s Draft Horse Classic is September 22 – 25, at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. For more information, visit here.
We’re excited for the 2nd Annual Farm Day, happening on Thursday at the Fairgrounds! We’ll have hundreds of children from area schools on the grounds to learn about agriculture in Nevada County, meet lots of animals, and, of course, meet some Draft Horses. So fun!
Due to the Draft Horse Classic, September 22 – 25, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will be closed to pedestrians – walkers and bicyclists and pets – beginning Thursday, September 22. The Fairgrounds will re-open its gates to walkers and bicyclists as usual on Monday, September 26. This closure does not affect the Main Office, which is open during its normal business hours.
For those interested in visiting the Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair during those dates, the gates for the event open at noon on Thursday and Friday, and at 8 am on Saturday and Sunday. As a reminder, no pets are allowed on the grounds during Fairgrounds-sponsored events.
Thank you to the San Francisco Chronicle for the feature on Nevada County, and for the shout out to the Draft Horse Classic (page 2). We sure love Nevada County – and are happy to see it receive some much-deserved love and recognition! Check it out here.
