Draft Horse Show a dazzler

Audiences at Eagle Crest last weekend were dazzled by the beautiful horse flesh, magnificent wagons, excellent horsemanship and the showmanship of the 18th Annual Invitational Draft Horse Show.

Horsemen from all over the Northwest rolled into Eagle Crest to take part in the excitement. There were Norwegian Fjords, Sorrel Percherons, American Creams, Belgians, Belgian Hafflinger Cross, and Clydesdales in two-, four- and six-up hitches.

The beautiful Percherons were bred as warhorses in France; they are American favorites now, used for heavy draft work. One theory has it that this draft breed has an infusion of Arabian blood.

The heaviest of all the draft horses at the Central Oregon Draft Horse Show were the Belgians, a breed that stands at about 17 hands, and originates in Belgium where they are promoted for breeding and development. However, the Belgian government must approve stallions that stand for public service.

The Norwegian Fjords struck terror in the hearts of lands invaded by Vikings. These notably powerful horses appear to have a striking resemblance to the Asian Wild Horse, the Przewalski of the Ice Age.

The beautiful and flashy horse ring Clydesdales are named for the river Clyde in Scotland. They were bred to fill the needs of all manner of work, from the heavy haulage of coal mines to delivering produce among the streets of Glasgow, Scotland.

Between competitions, there were razzle-dazzle demonstrations, such as the eight-up small horse races, chariot races, and Friesian demonstrations by Lea McFarland-Bushnell from Knapp Friesians of Sisters. Other teams included Rimrock Riders Drill Team of Bend, and Broken Top Vaulters.

The events began late Friday afternoon with Men's Single Cart, followed by Crazy Eights four-hitch wagon racers and chariot demonstrations.

Saturday was the day for the magnificent draft horses and their drivers to exhibit their talents with a four-horse hitch, Farm Class and Creighton Kooch Six-Horse Hitch, in which Craig Wilder's Valley View Percherons took first place. As part of the Six-Horse Hitch competition, drivers had to weave through a close pattern in the show ring and then back their wagons into a tight spot in front of the grandstands.

Sunday afternoon found amateur drivers competing in the four-hitch competition, Farm Class Log Skid Ribbon Presentation and the Eight-Horse Hitch Confirmation.