Last weekend’s Richmond Fair offered a wonderful display of draft horses. Belgians, Percherons and Clydesdales were all represented. We had the pleasure of watching the 6-horse hitch class. When 6 huge horses trot past, the ground shakes. What an awesome spectacle! Ten teams participated. The teams worked in the ring in two separate rounds of 5 teams each. For the final lineup, with all 10 teams, there were 60 giant horses in the ring. It was really something to see.
The Clydesdales are my personal favorites. Maybe it’s because of my Scottish ancestry, but I love their lanky good looks, beautiful colours with white markings, and of course, feathers. The long hair around their hooves is called feathers. However, all the teams were wonderful.
The announcer pointed out that each team represented an investment in the neighbourhood of half a million dollars. I don’t know how accurate that figure might be, but they surely would be a major undertaking. The winner of the class was the Bourbonnais entry of black Percherons.
McLaughlin Clydesdales, Haley Station, Ontario
Maple Creek Belgians, Stittsville, Ontario
Stead Family Belgians, Lanark, Ontario
Bourbonnais Percherons, Metcalfe, Ontario
Trout Brook Belgians, Potsdam, New York
Allan Foster & Family Belgians, North Gower, Ontario
Wilson Family Percherons, Van Kleek Hill, Ontario
Nesbitt Riverview Farm Belgians, Gatineau, Quebec
Hambleton Belgians, Alexandria, Ontario
Kelly Farm Belgians, Brockville, Ontario
First Place Winners
Willow House Chronicles 