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Awards for the 27th annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 19 – 22 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced. Gord Ruzicka of Viking, Alberta, Canada, judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert from Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Don Davis from Redding was the horseshoe competition judge.
More than 50 Draft Horse exhibitors – traveling from California, British Columbia, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming – competed for approximately $40,000 in premium awards. The competitions took place during five performances over the four-day event.
The winner of the Ultimate Hitch competition was Freeman Yoder of Young Living Percherons, from Mona, Utah.
Dakota Messenger of Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch, from Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Katie Cook of Young Living Percherons, were recognized as the outstanding lady drivers, both accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.
The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to David and Patsy Cunningham, an honor bestowed upon them by the voting of their fellow teamsters. The Cunninghams are from Meadowlake Belgians in Carlton, Oregon. The Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award went to Rick Newborn of Top Hand Ranch, Elverta, California; and Cadee Miller of Young Living Percherons, won the Youth of the Show award.
The Overall Supreme Champion horse, Hugh; and the Grand Champion Stallion, Ogdensburg HC Variety, are owned by Castagnasso Clydesdales and shown by Tony Knecht of Sonoma, California.
The Grand Champion Mare, Jansens Farms Kayla, is owned by Young Living Percherons, and shown by Freeman Yoder.
The winner in the 2013 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was Robbie Mederos.
At the third annual Classic BBQ Cook-Off, the Grand Champion was Jeff Lenke, cooking for Ash Kickin’ Smokers of Lincoln; and the Reserve Grand Champion prize went to Brian Choate, cooking for Smokin’ The Bandit BBQ of Plumas Lake. The People’s Choice Champion was Jack Simmons of Big Shot BBQ of Discovery Bay.
At the Harvest Fair, the People’s Choice award for the Scarecrows, as well as the Best of Division in the Scarecrows, went to Nancy Brown of Grass Valley.
A complete list of 2013 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners, the Horse Shoeing Contest winners, and a complete list of Barbecue Cook-Off results, is on the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.
The 2014 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 25 – 28. Tickets will go on sale on May 1, 2014. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for more information.
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