Draft horses thunder into Bureau County Fair on Saturday

PRINCETON — The draft horse show will return during the Bureau County Fair on Saturday. Halter classes will begin at 8 a.m. At this time the horses are judged on their confirmation, gait and how well they fall within the breed standards. You will see all three breeds of draft horses, Percherons, Belgians and the popular Clydesdales.

After the lunch break, the hitch (driving) classes will be held. The horses will be driven individually to carts and also hitched in teams ranging in size from two horses to up to six horses. The six-horse hitch classes will be the third class in the afternoon program. Come out and see these 2,000-pound horses as they thunder around the arena pulling the beautiful wooden wagons and carts.

Draft horses aren’t just for driving. They are going to be shown under saddle a little later in the afternoon in the Ride a Draft Class. The riders can choose to ride them with an English style saddle, a Western saddle or even bareback. The exhibitors also get to have some fun in the Egg and Spoon class. Each rider is given a teaspoon and they have to hold a raw egg in the spoon as they guide their horse around the arena. This is pretty tricky to do without scrambling their eggs.

Admission to the draft horse show is included in the gate admission fee. There are bleachers around the McCutchan Horse Arena for seating or event-goers can bring their own lawn chairs.

Open Horse Show

The open horse show at the Bureau County Fair will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the McCutchan arena. Halter classes are first and are followed by the English and Western riding classes. Exhibitors of all ages will be showing several breeds of horses including quarter horses and Arabians.

Horse Speed Show

The fastest horses during the Bureau County Fair will be at the Thursday night speed show in the McCutchan Arena. Barrel racing, pole bending, plug and flag races will be held throughout the evening for youth and adult riders. Come out and pick your favorite and cheer them on as they race around the barrels placed in a cloverleaf pattern. Admission is included in your gate admission.