The 19th edition of the US Draft Horse and Mule Plowing Contest was held on Saturday October 26th at the farm of Mike and Joyce Downs near Olympia Kentucky for the 9th year in a row (except 2020). Although Mike and Joyce had both faced some serious health challenges last year, this year it was Mike who was in the hospital rehabing a broken femur that may have been a result of last year's cancer. Despite this setback, their neighbors and friends all pitched in and made sure that this event went on as planned and Carl Radcliff from WVa stepped in to handle the MC duties for Mike. Because of all their efforts, the event was a resonding success. The weather was perfect with a light shower overnight on Friday night with just enough rain to settle the dust.

As usual for this event, a 3 judge panel was employed to judge the 7 classes. Judges had 10 categories to judge and gave each contestant up to 10 points in each category. A total of up to 300 points (100 per judge) were available to each contestant in a class with the highest point total in each class becoming the class winner. The contestant with the highest point total across all classes is then declared the High Points Winner. As I said last year, it feels like I'm repeating old news as the high points winner again this year was Mike Atkins from eastern Ohio. Mike has made a career out of winning this honor many times over the life of this event. Doris Mosher from Ohio again awarded special halters and/or lead ropes to both the class winners and the runners up to show her appreciation for the camaraderie and the sportsmanship that this event epitomizes. Doris no longer competes herself, but acts as swamper for her son Chris.

Again this year, there was a contingent of students from Berea College in attendance along with their faculty advisor. They tried their hand at plowing which is something their program doesn't normally include as they concentrate more on sustainable forestry using horses. Also in attendance were a small group of students from Asbury Universary along with the Director of their equine program. The interest of young people like these could be the thing that helps to keep this activity which we love alive in the future.

There are links below which will take you to the photos I took of the activities around this event. I spent the weekend riding around on a four wheeler and tried to get photos of everyone who competed and also photos of the spectators and exhibitors. If I missed you, forgive me as there was a lot going on. I also was able to remove the "only" rock found in the entire grounds as the photos will attest. I hope you find the photos interesting.