So, I can't get enough of them. Just can't. They're magnificent and beautiful and huge and sweet and funny--all big Baby Hueys.
The 24th annual Draft Horse Classic is going on right now at the Fairgrounds (home-away-from-home). For the second year running, Tom and I attended the opening night show/competition. The competition parts test the drivers/trainers/horses on skills with lovely two-wheeled carts (SO civilized a way to get around!) and larger work wagons of different sorts: Single horses (for the carts) and multiples pulling the wagons and running maneuvers around cones or backing up to a "dock" or just trotting or walking or backing up on command. Oh, and how pretty they are matters, as well, though they're all gorgeous to me.
I love the four-abreast teams, especially. The six-up (three pairs) are also amazing to watch. In between the judged events are mule exhibitions, trick riders, silly chariot races, etc. All fun, but, it's in the evening, and the photos don't turn out so well. There's a blurry one of the team that won the four-up--you get the idea.
For the third year running, I went back over to the grounds next day to get close to the horses (sat on a big Belgian last year), talk to the owners, watch the farriers and see the horse art.
This year, Tom came too. We watched a world-class (yes, world, folks) farrier take a straight piece of iron and fashion it into a perfectly-fitting shoe for a big percheron. So interesting! Tom chatted with another 30-year veteran farrier and learned all kinds of interesting stuff about the profession--like that it's still being practiced largely unchanged since the Roman times, 2500 years ago. I'm pretty sure that info will come in handy someday.
We visited all the barns and I hugged and patted as many animals as I could manage, including the tiny miniatures from a local ranch who always come to offer some perspective. Here's me hugging Cruiser, who seems rather unfazed by the experience. At the end of the afternoon, we walked through the art exhibits, some of which were quite wonderful, and, as if that weren't enough, there was a Major Celebrity to add some glitter to the event!
Yup, folks of a certain age (like us) will undoubtedly recognize Clint Walker, from the "Cheyenne" TV series of the late 50s/early 60s (and, if you don't, there's a sign above him--little hint). Of course, Tom and I also think of him as a guy who survived the skiing accident where he suffered the old ski-pole-piercing-the-heart injury. He and his wife personally run his website, where one can purchase DVDs, signed photos and CDs--yes, he also sings. Always looking for his next big role, even at 83, he says. We moved on.What more can you ask for free (well, $3 parking)? Best bargain of the weekend, for sure! And it just makes me happy to be near these fabulous animals.
Next weekend: getting all Gaelic...
