Draft Horse Challenge Series Wraps Up
by Julie Woodbury
White Earth Valley Saddle Club completed their 2026 Draft Horse Challenge Series October 3rd at the rodeo grounds in White Earth with the last of four events. WEVSC events usually contain the Obstacle Challenge, Log Skid, and Cloverleaf Barrels. Some alternate events include Closest to the Pin, Team Chores, or Planting/Tilling. Points are awarded for each event, and the winners of the 2026 series are shown below. Individual events and more information can be found on the Saddle Clubs Facebook page.
The Obstacle Challenge event is designed to show the skill of horses and teamsters in completing what might be everyday tasks. Logs laid on the ground might symbolize a driveway or track that needs to be traversed; cones and barrels for weaving represent trees, corrals, or many other objects; a mailbox, bridge, or tarp on the ground are additional obstacles that might occur. Finally, the teamster must back the team into a dock to load or unload supplies. The event is scored on lowest number of penalties, where every wheel or hoof out of the prescribed path can equal a penalty. Ties are broken on lowest time.
The Log Skid is similar to regular rodeo Pole Bending, but the team is dragging a long heavy log, and the teamster is driving them while walking behind them on the ground. This event represents the skills needed to move trees through the forest during logging or home building. The event is scored on lowest time, with each hit pole adding 5 seconds. This event requires a bit of physics, as the dragging log pivots, similar to a long trailer on a semi-truck.
Cloverleaf Barrels uses the same barrel pattern as Barrel Racing. Drivers direct their team from a Stoneboat, which is a flat bed on skids used to haul heavy things like hay, rocks, or other supplies. This event is also scored on lowest time, with 5-second penalties for each barrel hit. This is the speed event of the Draft Horse Challenge.
Ponies are more and more popular at our Draft Horse Challenges. Remember that a “Draft Horse” is any horse that pulls a load, so mini ponies, mules, oxen (beef or dairy steers), and anything else trained to do so are considered draft animals. At our final event, we had eight youth driving either teams or singles of ponies, with another four youth driving the big teams. Youth are required to do all the same events and obstacles as the adults, except they don’t need to back into the dock. Ponies pull a wheeled cart in the Cloverleaf Barrels because of their small size.
Congratulations to these Series Winners of the White Earth Valley Saddle Club 2026 Draft Horse Challenge. Thank you to White Earth Valley Saddle Club for organizing these great events.
Adult Teams:
1st: Chris Kubal with Captain and Chief
2nd: Whitt Bagley with Eric and Bill
3rd: Phill Newman with Duke and Don
4th: Wyatt Nichols with Amos and Andy
5th: Doug Feiring with Dick and Don
Youth Teams:
1st: Tylada Nichols with Amos and Andy
2nd: Ty Nichols with Thelma and Louise
3rd: Lucas Ottesen with Dick and Don
Youth Pony Teams
1st: Lauren Kubal with Bill and Jim
2nd: Brindle Kubal with Cap and Gus
3rd: Tie between Tuff Newman, Jennings Newman and Jessie May Newman
Youth Pony Singles
1st: Ashlyn Woodbury with Sugar
2nd: Tie between Kinsey Woodbury and Lizzy Wolter
Adult Ponies:
1st: Katie Woodbury with Sugar
2nd: Tana Conlin with Buddy
3rd: Kim Lester with Royal
4th: James Skalicky with Buddy