One of the biggest annual events at our fairgrounds (yes, we're back at the fairgrounds, again) is the Draft Horse Classic. Seriously. The arena shows cost (it's where the horses compete or show off--quite the spectacle, they say), and I didn't go to that part, this year, but the rest is free. So, I went, yesterday. Besides the folks selling you-name-it-with-a-horse-on-it, and lots of food, there were quite a few other attractions.
Lots of live music, as usual. All manner of horse arts and crafts. Think of any possible earthly material, and someone is making cheesy horse "art" with it (says Ms Snooty Two Shoes). However, I must say, that there were a few pieces, mostly watercolor and photography, that I thought quite worthy, indeed. The thing is, these huge horses are so amazing, that people just have to try, and I can't blame them, really. Well, that's mostly true.
I watched a bit of clogging. Clogging seems to me to be a hybrid of line dancing, celtic dancing and tap, all of which I like. So, what's wrong, here? I'm not sure. But it looks like it might be dying out, anyway, if the average age of the dancers is any indication. By the by, it's just a suggestion, but I would strongly encourage the cloggers with the short, sometimes swirly skirts on an elevated stage to, um, not. Long pants are perfectly acceptable and can also look quite festive. Here's one thing I didn't know--clogging has been updating its music. Some cooler hip-hop and pop beats have invaded the repertoire along with some cooler steps. It's just that, unless you're under 25, it loses some of its--oh, forget it. It should be celebrated that anyone of any age and body type is dancing to any music and having fun. Pay no attention to me.
I watched and learned about the farriers' trade. Forging and attaching shoes to these enormous hooves looks like no walk in the park. If a 2500-lb horse doesn't feel like holding its hoof up off the ground, it doesn't have to. Tons of work, this profession. Fascinating demonstrations and commentary.
The most elaborate demo was the lumberjack/jill competition. It was a pseudo-competition for demo purposes, really. Maybe you've seen these guys on TV. World-class buck-sawyers, wood choppers, axe throwers, tree climbers, log rollers and log carvers. Guys can throw a special axe at a target 25 feet away and hit the bulls-eye (in this case, an imbedded full bottom of a beer can) four out of four times. The log-rolling sisters are truly amazing.
And the finale is an ever-increasing series of "hot-sawing" demonstrations using chain saws powered with big motorcycle engines. I'm sure I would have loved it if I were a guy. As it is, all I can see is a whole forest made into mulch by lunchtime. Still, the log-rollers--cool.The best part, of course, is all about the horses. I walked around watching and patting them, marveling at the size and beauty. Percherons, Belgians, Friesians, Clydesdales, Shire (the biggest?). All massive and all so laid back, or so they seemed to me. No high-strung, skittish thoroughbreds, here. There was one funny point of contrast. There were a few miniature horses brought in for comic effect. I put my own foot near a belgian's hoof and also by a miniature hoof. So cute! I patted them, too, of course.
So, there you are. Next week: The Celtic Music Festival. I can hardly wait!
