Tag Archives: draft horse classic

23rd Annual Draft Horse Classic Awards Announced

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Awards for the 23rd annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 24 – 27 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced. Sharon Priebe from Grayling, Michigan, judged the draft horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert from Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Mark Mistler, visiting from Purcell, Oklahoma, was the horseshoe judge.

Draft horse exhibitors from California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona and Idaho competed for more than $35,000 in premium awards. The competitions, attended by approximately 20,000 Draft Horse fans, took place during six performances over the four-day event.

Simpson Percherons, from Rio Vista, California, received the 2009 Draft Horse Classic Ultimate Hitch award – an award bestowed upon them for six consecutive years. The award is given to the exhibitor who accumulates the most points in the following competitions: Pairs – Gentlemen, Pairs –Ladies, Tandem, Unicorn, Four-Up Rail, Four-Up Driving Competition, Six-Up Rail and the Six-Up Driving Competition. The second place award for Ultimate Hitch went to Hawkes Ranch, owned by Tony and Cheryl Hawkes of Spring Creek, Nevada.

For the third consecutive year, Danielle Simpson was recognized as the outstanding lady driver, accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award and contributing to the success of her hitch winning the Ultimate Hitch Award.

Excelling in farm type classes, Jeff Shinn of Placerville, California, won the high point competition for the Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award.

The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to Mel Fischer of Big Feather Shires, an honor bestowed upon him by the voting of his fellow teamsters. The award presentation was made by Bonnie Reed of Allied Insurance Company, a sponsor of this special award.

Bill Adams of the Draft Horse & Mule Association presented their special Teamster Award to Tony Hawkes of Hawkes Ranch.  Caitlen Hoey-Klick of Over Draft Ranch in Norco, California, won the Youth of the Show award.

The Supreme Champion horse was Priest Lake Miss Kelly Girl from the Parnell Ranch, owned Jack and Michelle Parnell and located in Nordman, Idaho.  Priest Lake Miss Kelly Girl was also Grand Champion Mare, and Priest Lake Perfection, also from Parnell Ranch, won Grand Champion Stallion.

Rounding out the awards, Holiday Farms of Wilton, California, won the award for the most attractive stall.

The 2009 winners in the Edward Martin Perpetual Draft Horse Shoeing Competition were – Over-all High Point Winner – Don Davis; Best Speciman Shoe – Don Davis; and Best Shod Foot – Mark Paine. The remaining ribbons for over-all points went to Nick Rossi – 2nd place; and Mark Paine – 3rd place.  Chad Shaw of Colorado won the scholarship from proceeds from last year’s competition, and he will be attending the 5 Star Horseshoeing School in Oklahoma.

Artwork for next year’s Draft Horse Classic poster is “Four Abreast at Rest” by Sharon O’Brien-Lykins of Penn Valley, California. Sharon’s art was chosen from more than 100 pieces of art on display at Art at the Classic.

The 2010 Draft Horse Classic will be a celebration of its 24th year and is scheduled for September 23 – 26. Tickets will go on sale on May 1, 2010. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for additional information.

Famous Classic Draft Horses Coming to Nevada County

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Majestic Draft Horse performances, breath-taking competitions, seeing a Draft Horse “up-close,” a clogging jamboree, and a world class lumberjack show are all part of the festivities at the 23rd annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 24 – 27, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.

Tickets for this must-see annual event are on sale now. Purchase your tickets early and save! If you purchase your performance tickets before the Draft Horse Classic begins, you will receive $3 off the ticket price you’d pay on the day of the event. There are six performances featuring the magnificent Draft Horses – Thursday and Friday at 6:30 pm, Saturday at 10 am & 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 10 am & 4 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling, faxing or visiting the Fair Office by Wednesday, September 23, at 5 pm.

Although there is a charge for the Draft Horse performances in the arena, admission to the Fairgrounds is free so all can enjoy the many activities of the Harvest Fair. The grounds are alive with western music, Harvest Fair agricultural competitions, world-class lumberjacks performing for the crowds, a live shoeing competition, crowds enjoying Treat Street goodies, and a world-class art show. Plus, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the barns and meet the famous Draft Horses up-close.

On Saturday, enjoy the Fall-like weather underneath the tall pine trees for “A Taste of the Gold Country,” featuring food from an abundance of local restaurants and wineries.

For tickets and information, call the Grass Valley Downtown Association at (530) 272-8315, or visit Historic Grass Valley

For Draft Horse performance tickets, purchase them before Wednesday, September 23, and tickets are $18 for general seating and $21 for reserved seating. After September 23, performance tickets are $21 for general seating and $24 for reserved seating.

The Fair’s Office is located on McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, just 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. The phone number is (530) 273-6217 and the FAX number is (530) 273-1146. Visit Nevada County Fair for more information.