Good news, draft horse fans! Photographer Sandy Powell recently released a photo essay book – Cowboy Culture: Capturing the Spirit of the Old West in the Sierra Nevada – that includes 23 chapters of photos and stories of Wagon Trains, Mule-packing, Overland Mail Stagecoaches, Pony Express Re-Ride, Big Hitches, the 20 Mule Team, Bishop Mule Days, and much more. There’s even a chapter dedicated to the Draft Horse Classic! Copies of the book are available locally at The Book Seller or directly from Sandy at Sandy Powell Western Photography. Congratulations, Sandy, and thanks for including the Classic in this fun-filled book!

Thank you, The Draft Horse Journal, for the feature in this month’s issue of the 2019 Draft Horse Classic. And, thank you to Sandy Powell Western Photography for sharing the photos.

Introducing the 2020 Draft Horse Classic poster! This year’s artwork was created by talented artist Katherine Plumer and is titled “Rosebud.” Katherine is a long-time exhibitor at Art at the Classic and Rosebud is well-known at the Classic. A perfect match and the artwork is stunning! Thank you, Katherine, for the beautiful artwork! And a big thank you to Kial James for the poster design.  

We miss our friends in the barns, but we’re already planning for the 2020 Draft Horse Classic. Mark your calendar and save the date – September 17 – 20, 2020!

Awards for the 33^rd annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 19 – 22 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced. Larry Honsberger of Elmore, Ohio judged the Draft Horse classes, which took place during the six performances over the four-day event. Almost 40 draft horse exhibitors – traveling from California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia – competed at the show for more than $35,000 in premium awards.

The winner of the Ultimate Hitch Award was Unhitched Ranch of Colton, CA. Audrey Popoff, also of Unhitched Ranch, won the Susan Parnell High Point Award.

The Teamster of the Year Award, as well as the Top Hand Ranch Teamster Award, was presented to Susan McCarty of Live Oak Belgians, based in Upper Lake, CA. Josh Albrecht won the Youth of the Show award.

The Best of Show winner at Art at the Classic, which featured almost 50 artists, was Katherine Plumer of Wilton, CA for her colored pencil art titled “Rosebud.” The People’s Choice award also went to Katherine.

The winner in the 2019 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was Darby Holden.

At the Harvest Fair, more than 700 items were entered, including scarecrows, arts and crafts, fresh fruits and vegetables, produce characters, jellies and jams, and baked goods. People’s Choice winners include Jim Drew in the Baked Foods Division, Kristi Bashor for Preserved Foods, Katie Savage for Youth/Teen Arts and Crafts, Joan Fowle for Artistic Flowers and Garden, Jon Robinson for Scarecrows, Justin Larsen for Arts & Crafts by People with Special Needs, and Lyn Muth for Nevada County Grown.

A complete list of 2019 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners, can be found here.

The 2020 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 17 – 20, 2020. Tickets will go on sale May 1, 2020.

Meadowlake Belgians – winner of the 2019 Six-Up Hitch Championship. Photo by Lenkaland Photography

Unhitched Ranch – winner of the 2019 Ultimate Hitch Award. Photo by Lenkaland Photography

Don’t miss the 33rd Annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair happening September 19-22! This year’s Classic will have six spectacular performances featuring a variety of horses, exhibitors, hitches, and farm wagons and carriages. In between classes, guests can will enjoy performances from Romano: the Andalusian Stallion, Gladius the Show, CHP Mounted Patrol and more! While you’re here, make sure to visit the barns, check out the Harvest Fair exhibits, grab a bite to eat, enjoy live music on the Pine Tree Stage and browse the Western Trade Show! See you at the Classic!