Draft Horse Challenge Continues
The third of four Draft Horse Challenges for the year sponsored by the White Earth Valley Saddle Club was held on Sunday, June 28. It was originally scheduled to be held at the White Earth Valley rodeo grounds, but Saturday’s storms prompted them to move it to the fair building in Stanley.
The first two were held on February 14 in Stanley and on March 14 in Watford City. The final event will be held on October 3 at the White Earth Valley rodeo grounds weather permitting. This will be the ND Draft Horse Association’s obstacle challenge finals. Those competing in the three previous events will be looking to add to their scores to be the overall champion for the year in the challenges.
They are able to show off their teams events in challenges like the obstacle course, log skid, cloverleaf barrels and closest to the pin. They earn points in each of those events to determine winners from each of the four challenge events, with those points carried over to determine the year-end winners.
The event is an opportunity for people to get a good look at the hard working draft horse teams and the skills they and their handlers have developed. People in the area frequently see these teams at community events, often participating in parades or offering wagon rides. This, however, is a different look at the teams.
Draft horses are any horse that pulls something. This could include wagons, stoneboats, logs, plows, mowers, manure spreaders and more. Sizes of Draft horses range from the mini pony to the largest of all horses. WEVSC had a variety of horses and ponies present at this event. For those attending, they also got a peek at John and Julie Woodbury’s newest baby, Rosa. This filly was born on June 20.
Results from Sunday’s event will be posted on the WEVSC Facebook page.