A six-horse hitch from Kouts at a past show. (Photo provided)
Come witness the power and yet gentleness of giant draft horses at the LaPorte County Draft Horse Association’s annual show Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7, at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds. This event features more than 160 draft horses from across the Midwest – Belgians, Clydesdales and Percherons – in halter and driving events.
A magnificent quartet of high-stepping Clydesdales at a past show. (Photo provided)
This show is free; bring the family! Concessions will be available for purchase.
The cart events start Friday at 11 a.m., and then the second group of events starts at 5 p.m. in front of the stands at the Draft Horse Arena. Halter events are at 8 a.m. Saturday in front of the Grandstands with a split ring showing Belgians, Percherons and Clydes at the same time, and then the driving events start at 3 p.m. back in the Draft Horse Arena. There will be 11 participants in the two North American Classic Six-Horse Hitch Series events—one on Friday evening and one on Saturday afternoon.
The largest single event organized by the LPCDHA is the annual farm and fancy hitch show. Hitch teams from across the Midwest participate in the show in hopes to earn points toward the North American Six-Horse Hitch Classic Series competition. Farm team events and youth events are also held. In 2018, there were 120 Belgians, Clydesdales and Percherons that competed in the fancy, farm, and halter show events. The grandstands at the show are full of families from the region who share an interest and excitement for the breeds.
There is plenty of bleacher seating, or bring your own chairs. A full list of events and more details can be found at https://www.laportecodrafthorse.org/2019-show.