Last weekend was the 29th annual Idaho State Draft Horse & Mule International. The event brings competitors to the Bonner County Fairgrounds from all over the Inland Northwest and Canada. The weather this year was just perfect, as you'll see in a moment. If you've never taken the opportunity to see this event, you should seriously consider attending next year. |
9/24/05: Here's a competitor braiding the mane on her Clydesdale. With her perched on top of the horse's whithers like that, you really get a sense of scale. Some of these critters are enormous. |
Photo courtesy James Byrd
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Photo courtesy James Byrd
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9/24/05: The fairgrounds provides a concrete area where you can lather up and rinse your champion. This horse just had an invigorating shower. |
9/24/05: A few wagons are waiting to be hooked up to their teams. The attention to detail in the lettering and decoration on these rigs was impressive. |
Photo courtesy James Byrd
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Photo courtesy James Byrd
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9/24/05: This pretty mule is just leaving the arena after completing her event. She glanced over proudly and sweetly as she trotted by. |
9/24/05: One has to have a great deal of confidence in one's team to put yourself in this position. I don't suppose the cart would slow them down much if they decided to go, well, wherever they wanted. Check out that beautiful stride! |
Photo courtesy James Byrd
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Photo courtesy Susan Daffron
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9/28/05: This is what draft horses look like when they are working for real. Meet Amos and Andy, who haul guests around on wagons and sleighs at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. |
See you next week! |
