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Sunday, September 21, 2008

Draft Horse Classic!





Welcome Blogger Friends!!!! Yes, my best friend and I have had another MYSTERY TRIP. It was my turn for September...I choose the 22ND Annual Draft Horse Classic up in beautiful Grass Valley. It was at the beautiful Grass Valley Fair Grounds. The whole fair grounds are surrounded by huge pines. The Draft Horse show started at 10am, so we had about an 1 1/2 road trip ahead of us. We were armed with our coffees and set out for our adventure. The front of the fairgrounds had the magnificent, huge piece of sculpture, depicting a draft horse in action. Stunning piece. (I highly encourage you to click on the photos to see in great detail these beautiful animals in action!)

We bought our tickets and choose to seats that had the sun at our backs...good thing, as the sun was beaming on the grand stand for hours. I would have been burnt to a crisp.

First up was the 4 piece wagon hitch teams. The team had to show their agility and how to back up and turn right and left. They were beautiful draft horses. And those men loved their horses. I mean look at those coats and manes/tails! Just beautiful! Here is the second place winner! These horses were just beautiful, their coats just gleamed in the sun.

Here is the first place winner(all white team)! This man was so at ease with his 4 member team. Now mind you has 4 rains (which equals 8 pieces of leather through his fingers)to control these magnificent creatures. Ricky (was his name) made this job look way to easy. But I know that this is one hard job to maintain all the rains and still control the rig and horses all at the same time.

Mules barrel racing??? Yes sir...there you have it! It was hoot to see these animals race like the wind! They seemed to love it!

Adrien and I's favorite part...Draft Horse pulling competition. We were in complete awe of these Belgians. They were extraordinary in their strength. These 2 weighed in at 1500lbs a piece and then pulled about 4500lbs on the sled (which was metal and then packed with bags of sand).




They just kept adding more and more bags of sand. And every time these men would back these horses up to hitch up to the sled. These Shires, and Belgians were set to go. They love their jobs and damn are they spectacular at it also!

I want to you to look carefully at all the horses equipment. All that silver and harnesses, yokes, rains, chains and blinders. These 2 were very young and had ants in their pants. The owner had to drop the bit down to get more control. I can tell you though that all these men had to dig their boots in to pull back on the rains. Incredible strength these Shires, Clydesdale's, Belgians (a total of 7 types in the draft horse breed).


After the pulling competition they brought out these beautiful stallions. Stunning...for the life of me I can't remember the name of this breed (hoping Julie, who owns and operates a horse ranch will know the name). There were also some white horses that were out there 'dancing', they pawed the air and even bowed. They too are a special breed! It was so wonderful to see these horses canter!

The last part of the show was this HUGE contraption. It was pulled by draft horses back in the 1900's for logging. They showed how it worked, and how the industry relied on these beautiful animals to get the job done.

After the 22ND Draft Horse Classic it was off to check out the Lumberjack show!


This a 9 year old little girl (with the help of grandpa) cutting out a solid chair with a chainsaw!

And the log climbing, with toe spikes...I so want to try this! And I was telling Adrien I want to look into AXE throwing! I know...cool huh?! Me a LUMBERJACK! Wait and see...
Hope you enjoyed our September Mystery Trip...we sure did! It was an incredible day with those beautiful, magnificent creatures!


With much love,

69 comments:

Michael Lockridge said...

Love those Mystery Trips! Great report, and great photos.

A friend of mine is getting into the Lumberjack thing. He plays with chainsaws and tosses axes. That competition gear can be a bit pricey.

I've thrown tomahawks before. Not the same as the big axes, but it is a lot of fun. Did you know that many American soldiers carry the tomahawk in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Thanks for sharing your trip!

debra said...

Draft horses are beautiful animals. I love their quiet strength. Sounds like a great day.

pattinase (abbott) said...

A lovely and informative post on a subject I was new to.

just bob said...

I see you were horsing around again this weekend. I'm glad you had a good time and hope things are going ok.

just bob

Walker said...

Draft horses are big and strongh.
I wouldn't want to be infront of one when it coming down the road at a good clip.

I like the lumberjack competitions especially log rolling.

I hope you stopped for a draft after.

Travis Erwin said...

Looks like a very cool day. I've seen those lumberjack competitions on ESPN.

kirsten said...

lumberjacks & draft horses, oh my!! your MYSTERY TRIPS sound like so much fun.

blessings to you!
-k

Reb said...

Sounds like a great trip! I have always enjoyed watching the heavy horse pulls. They are amazing animals.

Rosemary said...

Another great trip. You girls have more fun!!
Hope you are feeling good!!
Happy Fall!
Rosemary

Leah said...

Neat trip. The draft horses are unbelievable. Have you ever read 'Farmer Boy' by Laura Ingalls Wilder? Well, these photos have given me some visuals for that book.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Oh, they are MAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!!! Just glorious! Thank you so much for sharing!

I LOVE your Mystery Trips!

scrapmomof5 said...

It looks like you had another amazing trip!
I love horses. I grew up riding and went to many a rodeo as my Aunt and Uncle were over the rodeos in the Northern California region.

Skeeter said...

Hi Robyn,

Thanks for stopping by my blog and saying "Hi!" Missed you awfully dear. Hope all is well and getting better.

The draft Horse pulling competition looks like something I'd really like to see. Where I'm from we used to do these contests with tractors, but the draft horses add an element to it that is great!

Best wishes,

Skeeter

Barrie said...

My daughter would be so jealous of your trip! She's a huge horse lover.

Fish Whisperer said...

Welcome back to the world of blog, we missed you. Draft horse classic, how cool is that. Looks like it was totally awesome. Being a city boy by birth and upbringing, horses are sort of out there for me, I love to see them and pet them but still a bit of a mistery. Check out ESPN for the Lumberjack competitions. Very cool to watch.
Hope your fighting the good fight, we are all still right here with you.
Cheers

Joshua said...

very very cool :)

Amy said...

I have been thinking of you often. Glad to see you having a great time with your girlfriend. Hugs! -Amy

Elizabeth Fedorko said...

That is the biggest horse I've ever seen! Holy moly!~~~XXOO, Beth

Kookaburra said...

Hey Robyn,
I like your new-look blog.
Aren't draft horses such handsome creatures? I am in awe of the sheer strength that is conveyed thru their anatomy! This is a wonderful Post and the pictures are really interesting to look at.

Thank you for sharing your Mystery Trip.

Hope everything is okey dokey with you :)
Mark. XOX

Jessi Nagy said...

Hey sweets.
awesome
post.
i love those beauties.
feeling better.
the give away will be listed tomorrow.
oxoxo,
jessi

paige said...

just wanted to check in...
the other day i was enjoying our cooler weather here so i took brinkley for a walk & left the ipod at home...i was able to hear the birdies chirping & the breeze blowing. gave me time to reflect, be quiet & pray.
i prayed for you that you would be healed & continue to have the incredble strength & fiestiness you have shown already.
you are a blessing
xo

Robocop said...

Those were great pics of a fun looking event!

INNER VOICES said...

awesome fun!!!! i love that shit... those events are a classic good time, you are indeed a lucky one!

Anonymous said...

Great pics!!
We lived in Grass Valley for 5 years and I always took the kids to this great event!!
Super fun, what a fab mystery trip!!
Hope all is well
xo

Anonymous said...

Hey Robyn!!!

Good to hear you are out and about taking those mystery trips! God, I love horses. Everything about them is full of power and grace, especially the draft horses. AND A LUMBERJACK SHOW!!! How cool is that?!

You are absolutely wonderful, girl!!!
XOXOXO
RC

LẌ said...

This brought back some memories.

One grandfather had a farm. They lived like Amish, except they had a telephone and electricity. He had a large horse (not draft) and a mule to pull the farm implements. Both were gentle and wonderful.

The other grandfather was a logger. He drove a team of eight oxen that pulled a contraption like that to skid logs out of the woods.

Happy you are out and about. Take care.

Emily said...

Robyn, your mystery trip sounds facinating. I am so so so sorry to hear of your upsetting news. I know it must be hard and I can't even begin to imagine your strength right now. Thinking of you.

Cora Lynn said...

that has got to be the fastest update ever! (:

Charmingdesigns said...

Wow, what a wonderful day you had!!! How are you doing? I think of you often!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos! take care!! Laurie

Suzanne said...

What a beautiful post and day, and what amazing comments. But you know me. Forever protective of animals. I thought long and hard about this. Wasn't going to say a thing, but you know me. I can't imagine you would expect less!!! Of course I'm laughing and know you are too. Hi honey!!! What???!!! What??? I worry you know. Honestly, I do. I know draft horses works very hard and probably don't always want to. You know me. That's my concern. I never see life from our side, I see it from theirs. Why? I don't know. That's me. You know me. And logging. My dad was a logger. Not with horses, thank God!!, but a logger and a sawmill owner. I understand that too. No Robyn, I'm not a simple woman!!! Hey, knock it off. And yes, Dad hauled logs to Canada. IV, I hear ya brotha. Life is complex and should be. You know me. I'm so protective of animals, but so reluctant to write this. You know what I'm going to say, so I won't even say it. I love you with all my heart and this is a beautiful post. I'm going to tuck it right here. And say nothing more. You know me my dear, dear friend. I love you and I'm so glad you had a beautiful time. And as always, thanks for sharing the moment. You're the best!

XO

P.S. Yes honey, I love you.

Megan said...

I like the look of Nevada City better than Grass Valley but I agree with you about the fairgrounds, they are beautiful. Been to several County Fairs there.

I miss Northern California a lot sometimes.

Hope all is going well...

Suzanne said...

Hey darlin', you know what's funny, I didn't say it and you knew. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you. You know how I worry about stuff and I'm not even Jewish (however, I think Leah's beginning to believe!). Thanks for the amazing comment on my blog. You made me think harder and worry more! Damn! But you also settled my nerves. Damn! You're good!

Oh, for those of you reading this and perhaps feeliing sorry for her, trust me, Robyn and I are like two peas in a pod and making her think is the best medicine. Yes, her response took effort (if you have time go to my blog to read it). GOOD!!! Life is worth it. Oh, and so am I. Right Sista? Of course I'm laughing you little rascal you. You're the best baby. I love you. Get well and feel better soon. I love you. I know I already said that, but said it again as a reminder.

XO Love you. (Whoops, said it again!)

Just Between Us Girls said...

OOOh my gosh!What a wonderful adventure and your photographs are just incredible. I loved reading your blog.
Pat

Leah said...

OMG, my first thought when I saw the photos of the horses was "SUZE!" No, really. Suzanne, you honorary Jew you, I always worry about animals too. We can appreciate their beauty and sheer strength and work skills too, especially horses. And I do believe they're incredibly well cared for. I'd love to see one in person, although I think I'd be a bit intimidated.

Hi Robyn! I'm working on a little extra for your package. Are you allergic to natural lavender? Let me know.

xoxo and love

p.s. you really started a trend when you revealed the pictures of yourself to the world. Have you checked out Skeeter's latest post? I just love knowing what people look like!

sarah said...

wow what a fun thing to do----
miss ya!
sarah

Sandra Evertson said...

Fabulous post, those horses are amazing!
Sending you good thoughts and well wishes.
Sandra Evertson

Practically Joe said...

What a terrific post. I felt so much like I was there with you that I could actually smell the horseshi ... oh ... well it was very real. I even did as you suggested and enlarged each photo. I think I know the guy in row 3 seat 17.

Thanks for the trip.

Cece said...

The new look of the blog is nice. Do they have chuckwagon races at the Draft Horse Classic? I understand that chuckwagon races are fun, but dangerous. I hope you are doing well. I think about you daily, even if I don't get here to say hi. Just know that. Talk to you soon.

Monica said...

How fun!
My son would have loved to go to that and the mule races look like a hoot for sure!
Sounds like you all had a fun time :)

Anonymous said...

Interesting post with wonderful photos, Robyn!

Shutterspy said...

Sending lots and lots of love :-D

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Barlinnie said...

The happiness has spread from the House of Haas to many other people's lives.

I'm proud to say that I'm one of them.

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Hi Robyn,
Looks like a fabulous mystery trip!
Hope you've had a great week and enjoy your weekend!
Blessings,
Sandy

Skeeter said...

Hi Robyn! Just stopped by to say hi and ask how are ya? Talk with you again soon.

Best wishes,

Skeeter

Mr. Shife said...

Looks like you had a swell time. And it looks like a lot of fun as well. Thanks for sharing and I hope you are doing well.

Cece said...

Hi, Just checking in to see how things are going. Have a great weekend.

Skeeter said...

Hi Robyn,

Thanks for your kind words. I'm always glad to see you dear. Hope to talk with you again soon.

Best wishes,

Skeeter

Politically Homeless said...

I just love those pictures. You girls always seem to have a blast.

Thinking of you and have you in my thoughts and prayers!

Kookaburra said...

Hey Robyn,
Just wanted to say g'day.
Have a wonderful weekend.

M.

CSI Seattle said...

I am amazed at how creative you are and the mystery trips. It's amazing how much cool stuff there is out there, and you seem to find it.

Those horses are very cool and so is your post.

I hope that you are well, and know that we are thinking of you.

B

kylie said...

hi robyn,
just dropping by to say hello and i hope you're feeling good.
draught horses are always just gorgeous

take care, eh?
k

Skeeter said...

Hi Robyn! How's it going?

Best wishes,

Skeeter

Terri Steffes said...

Where are you baby? Missing you a lot right now. Need to know how you are doing.

Julie said...

Okay - you KNOW I loved this post!!!!

Queen Goob said...

I love LOVE draft horses! They are the quintessential horse; my favorites being the Friesian and the Shire. (That may have been a Friesian in the picture of the horses you didn't know the name of.)

Glad to see you're having a great time!!!

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