The 20th edition of the US Draft Horse and Mule Plowing Contest was held on Saturday October 25th at the farm of Mike and Joyce Downs near Olympia Kentucky for the 10th year in a row (except 2020). Mike and Joyce have both faced some serious health challenges over the last year and Mike was in home hospice care and couldn't actually attend. Unfortunately his cancer has continued to progress and the chemo treatments he had been taking were not effective. Despite this setback, Mike still wanted to host this event. Just like last year, his neighbors and friends (particularly Jeremy Skaggs and Chris Roberson) all pitched in to made sure that this event went on as planned. Joyce asked Carl Radcliff from WVa to handle the MC duties for Mike. Because of all their neighbor's efforts, the event was a resonding success. The skies were overcast most of the day, but the weather was perfect for the horses and mules with no rain and cool temperatures.

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 who did compete.

Again this year, there was a contingent of students from Berea College in attendance along with their faculty advisor Sam Tackett. They tried their hand at plowing which is something their program doesn't normally include as it concentrated more on sustainable forestry using horses. They brought 3 teams of mules and competed in the Novice Class and in the Gang Plow Class where they were the only participant this year. 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 hope you find the photos interesting.