Mark your calendar for these fun events at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in 2016.
Draft Horse Classic Photos Now Available
Looking for photos from the Draft Horse Classic? Our official photographer, David Wong, will be setting up a new site, where highlights of the event will be posted. You can either order the Best of DHC 2015 disc for $85; or, if you are looking or a specific class, driver, or team, contact him directly at dw@photographybydavidwong.
Draft Horse Classic Awards Announced
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 3, 2015
Contact: Robin Hauck, Deputy Manager, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217;
29th Annual Draft Horse Classic Awards Announced
Awards for the 29th annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 24 – 27 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced. Albert Cleve of Farmington, Missouri, judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert from Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Robbie Mederos from Danville, California was the horseshoe competition judge.
More than 50 Draft Horse exhibitors – traveling from California, Oregon, Colorado, and Idaho – 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 Wayne Wareing of Wareing Shires, from Blackfoot, Idaho.
Audrey Popoff of Unhitched Ranch, from Colton, CA was recognized as the outstanding lady driver, accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.
The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to Deb Luis, an honor bestowed upon her by the voting of her fellow teamsters. Luis is from Debzdrafts in Marysville, CA. The Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award went to Steve Smith of Quail Creek Percherons, Carmichael, CA; and Dakota Shinn of Shinn Ranch Percherons, Placerville, CA, won the Youth of the Show award.
The Overall Supreme Champion horse, GT Bold Adventure, is owned by Thiel Family Percherons of Pleasant Grove, CA, and shown by Jason Bexon. The Grand Champion Stallion, Rolling Acres Tyrane, is also owned by Thiel Family Percherons.
The Grand Champion Mare, Noodle, is owned by Top Hand Ranch and shown by Crystal Newborn of Elverta, CA.
The winner in the 2015 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was Lance Yohe of Elk Grove, CA.
At the Harvest Fair, with more than 800 items entered, the Best of Division in the Scarecrows went to Sierra View Manor in Grass Valley; and the People’s Choice award for the Scarecrows went to Nicholas Husak of Grass Valley.
A complete list of 2015 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners, can be found here.
The 2016 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 22 – 25. Tickets will go on sale on May 2, 2016.
Winner of the Ultimate Hitch Competition – Wayne Wareing of Wareing Shires, based out of Blackfoot, Idaho – performs at the 2015 Draft Horse Classic. (Photography by David Wong)
Draft Horse Classic Awards Announced
Awards for the 29th annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 24 – 27 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced. Albert Cleve of Farmington, Missouri, judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert from Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Robbie Mederos from Danville, California was the horseshoe competition judge.
More than 50 Draft Horse exhibitors – traveling from California, Oregon, Colorado, and Idaho – 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 Wayne Wareing of Wareing Shires, from Blackfoot, Idaho.
Audrey Popoff of Unhitched Ranch, from Colton, CA was recognized as the outstanding lady driver, accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.
The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to Deb Luis, an honor bestowed upon her by the voting of her fellow teamsters. Luis is from Debzdrafts in Marysville, CA. The Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award went to Steve Smith of Quail Creek Percherons, Carmichael, CA; and Dakota Shinn of Shinn Ranch Percherons, Placerville, CA, won the Youth of the Show award.
The Overall Supreme Champion horse, GT Bold Adventure, is owned by Thiel Family Percherons of Pleasant Grove, CA, and shown by Jason Bexon. The Grand Champion Stallion, Rolling Acres Tyrane, is also owned by Thiel Family Percherons.
The Grand Champion Mare, Noodle, is owned by Top Hand Ranch and shown by Crystal Newborn of Elverta, CA.
The winner in the 2015 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was Lance Yohe of Elk Grove, CA.
At the Harvest Fair, with more than 800 items entered, the Best of Division in the Scarecrows went to Sierra View Manor in Grass Valley; and the People’s Choice award for the Scarecrows went to Nicholas Husak of Grass Valley.
A complete list of 2015 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners, can be found here.
The 2016 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 22 – 25. Tickets will go on sale on May 2, 2016.
Winner of the Ultimate Hitch Competition – Wayne Wareing of Wareing Shires, based out of Blackfoot, Idaho – performs at the 2015 Draft Horse Classic. (Photography by David Wong)
Thank You for A Successful Classic!
That’s a wrap for the 29th annual Draft Horse Classic. What a show! Thank you to all the exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, artists, and the entire team for all your hard work; and a huge thank you to the stars of the show – the Draft Horses. See you next year – September 22 – 25.
Draft Horse Classic: September 24 – 27, 2015
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 15, 2015
Contact: Robin Hauck, Deputy Manager, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217; .
Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair in Grass Valley
September 24 – 27, 2015
Join the beautiful Draft Horses for the 29th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, happening September 24 – 27, 2015 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.
Like last year, we’ve kept lower pricing on adult admission tickets for evening performances, and we’ve also continued the discounted pricing for the morning performances and children’s tickets.
In between classes, enjoy showcase specialty acts. New this year, enjoy 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 Gold Rush Fire Brigade.
Also taking place at the Fairgrounds during the four days of the Classic is the Harvest Fair, which features musical entertainment, a clogging jamboree, food vendors on Treat Street, Art at the Classic, horse shoeing demonstrations, a chance to visit with the horses, guided barn tours, and hundreds of community exhibits.
This year’s Draft Horse Classic is September 24 – 27 at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217, at the arena box office during the event, or online.
Photo by Gena Lee Tharp
A Favorite Draft Horse Photo
Don’t you love this picture?! We can’t wait for the Gentle Giants to be on the Fairgrounds in less than two weeks. Won’t you join us for this year’s Draft Horse Classic, September 24 – 27?
Guided Barn Tours Offered At This Year’s Draft Horse Classic
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 10, 2015
Contact: Robin Hauck, Chief Executive Officer
(530) 273-6217; .
Guided Barn Tours Offered At This Year’s Draft Horse Classic
Get behind-the-scenes and meet the stars of the Classic – the beautiful Draft Horses
Guided barn tours will be offered to visitors to this year’s Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair – giving them an up close and personal visit with the magnificent Gentle Giant Draft Horses. The behind-the-scenes guided barn tours, led by teamster Eleanor Roberts, are another way for visitors to be able to meet and talk with Draft Horse exhibitors, as well as meet the stars of the Classic.
Barn tours will be held on Friday, September 25, at 3 pm and Saturday, September 26, at 2 pm. Advance reservations are recommended, as there are a limited number of openings for each tour. The cost for the tour is $10 per person, and advance reservations can be made by calling the Fair Office at 530-273-6217. If there is still availability, tickets may also be purchased the day of the event at the Arena box office.
Each tour will last approximately 45 minutes and will include meeting the exhibitors and learning about how they got involved with Draft Horses; discussing and seeing the different Draft Horse breeds; a show-and-tell of Draft Horse equipment, and a discussion about the training of Draft Horses and what it takes to put a team together. You’ll also get to roam to the various barns on the Fairgrounds to meet the beautiful Draft Horses!
The 29th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair starts Thursday, September 24 and runs through Sunday, September 27 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. The Draft Horse Classic features six stunning performances in the arena. If you can’t make it to a guided barn tour, the barns are always open for viewing the horses throughout the event in between performances. Additionally, live entertainment at the Pine Tree Stage, a world class art show, Treat Street goodies, vendors with western wear and items, a clogging jamboree, and a live horse shoeing competition are all part of the Harvest Fair, which takes place at the Fairgrounds during all four days of the Classic.
For tickets to the Draft Horse performances or tickets to the Barn Tours, call the office at 273-6217.
Get behind-the-scenes and meet the stars of the Draft Horse Classic by taking at guided barn tour at this year’s Classic. Tour tickets on sale now.
Enter An Exhibit in the Harvest Fair
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 3, 2015
Contact: Robin Hauck, Deputy Manager
(530) 273-6217;
Enter Your Exhibits In The Harvest Fair At The Draft Horse Classic
It’s free and all exhibitors will receive free tickets to a Draft Horse Classic performance
Entry forms are now being accepted for exhibit entries in the Harvest Fair, which takes place during the Draft Horse Classic, September 24 – 27, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The deadline to turn in entry forms to enter exhibits is 4 pm on Friday, September 18. It’s free to enter, and all exhibitors will receive complimentary tickets to the Friday evening performance of the Draft Horse Classic.
Entry forms are now being accepted at the Fair Office and on-line at www.NevadaCountyFair.com. There are more than 100 different categories to choose from, including fruits and vegetables, cobblers, harvest pies, scarecrows, jams, honey, cut flowers, produce characters, and birdhouses. There’s even a “Garden Photo Contest” to share the beauty of your own garden and plants; and an Adult Artistic Corner for those interested in showing off arts and crafts. So many fun categories to choose!
There’s a division for youth and teens, which includes categories like apple face dolls, decoupage, Halloween masks, painted pumpkins, wreaths, table settings, and ceramics. Plus, there’s a Special People’s division for those interested in showing off their talents at the Harvest Fair.
Exhibitors must either submit paper entry forms at the Fair office or enter online between now and Friday, September 18 at 4 pm. It’s free and it’s simple!
Complete descriptions of all Harvest Fair divisions and categories are available here, at Fair’s Office on McCourtney Road, or by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217.
The Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair runs September 24 – 27 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. 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.
In addition to the Draft Horse performances, the Harvest Fair is happening at the Fairgrounds throughout the event. Musical entertainment, Art at the Classic, food vendors on Treat Street and around the grounds, a clogging jamboree, Harvest Fair exhibits, and visits to the barns make for a fun family day at the Harvest Fair.
Visit here for Draft Horse performance tickets or information about entering a Harvest Fair exhibit.
Gold Country Stage: Free Fare Days During Classic
The Gold Country Stage will be providing free fare days, September 24 – 26, on all routes, including a bus stop at the Nevada County Fairgrounds for the Draft Horse Classic. The special bus stop on Route 3 will be available inside Gate 1 at the main ticket entrance. Call 477-0103, extension 0, for schedules or pick-up points, or visit GoldCountryStage.com.
