Georgia Draft Horse Association Annual Spring Fun Show
The Georgia Draft Horse Association’s Annual Spring Fun Show will be held May 29 and 30 at the Tri-State Exhibition Center in Cleveland. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
A draft horse, work horse or heavy horse, is a large horse bred to be a working animal doing hard tasks such as plowing and other farm labor. There are a number of breeds, with varying characteristics, but all share common traits of strength, patience, and a docile temperament which made them indispensable to generations of pre-industrial farmers, said officials.
Draft horses and draft crossbreds are versatile breeds used today for a multitude of purposes, including farming, draft horse showing, logging, recreation, and other uses. They are also commonly used for crossbreeding, especially to light riding breeds such as the Thoroughbred, for the purpose of creating sport horses. While most draft horses are used for driving, they can be ridden and some of the lighter draft breeds perform well under saddle.
The Clydesdale made popular by Budweiser Beer and the Shire made popular by Disney’s 2012 animated film Brave are but two of the draft breeds. The Percheron, Friesian, Belgian, Haflinger and Shetland Pony are also popular drafts.
The Spring Fun Show will feature driving and riding heavy and light draft, draft cross, draft pony and draft pony cross in a variety of class competitions beginning Friday, May 29, at 5 p.m. Classes include Costume Class for all ages, Log Pull, Cart Trotting Races, Cart Trotting Barrels, Obstacle Cart and Under Saddle and Barrel Racing and Egg and Spoon Race Under Saddle.
The more traditional hitching and halter and riding classes will be held Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. High points will be awarded and a silent auction held to benefit the GDHA.
The 2015 show is co-chaired by Brittany Edgerton and Crystal Mitchell. To learn more about the show, classes and competition visit www.gadrafthorse.org/category/gdha-spring-show/2015-gdha-spring-show or downsouthcarriage@gmail.com.