The chilly and occasionally rainy weather didn't deter folks from attending the 29th annual Draft Horse Sale at the Cortland County Fairgrounds October 2 and 3.  The New York State Draft Horse Club hosts this annual event that is always in the first week of October.     Registered bidders numbered 350 and an estimated 700 spectators attended.  The sale began as a way for the Draft Horse Club to promote draft horses and allow new and young members the opportunity to purchase horses and equipment.  Anything draft related can be bought or sold and some items might make you raise an eyebrow. It was not uncommon to find folks gathered around an unusual piece of equipment debating about the name, use or origin of that item.  While walking the grounds where the equipment was displayed you could hear the auctioneers' call and feel the excitement of the bidders as they anxiously bid then waited to see if they would be outbid on a bob-sled, show cart, hitch wagon, manure spreader, sleigh, stone boat or one of hundreds of other pieces offered.  Inside, another auctioneer sold used harness while several vendors waited for their turn to sell new harness, tack and other stable supplies. You could turn in any direction and hear stories from veteran teamsters and farmers about their teams and experiences. It was a fitting blend of old hands and novices.

 Along with the NYS Draft Horse Club were two of its affiliates: the New York State Draft Pony and Mule Association and the New York Percheron Association.  

 One hundred and forty horses were consigned for this years' sale.  That's a big jump from the mere thirty head that were sold at the first sale hosted by the NYS Draft Horse Club back in 1979. Before the horse sale nearly every breed of Drafts were lined up for inspection in the livestock barn while potential buyers from New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, Connecticut, and New Hampshire  looked them over. One notable team was a pair of blue-roan, Brabant Belgians. Well matched and broke they were very popular and always had a crowd gathered 'round. 

 The highest selling horse, a Belgian gelding, was sold for $3600.

 David Johnson, President of the NYS Draft Horse Club, thought prices were a "little off this year". Horse market prices fluctuate fiercely and, often, the market is so poor that you can purchase a horse for as little as you might have paid twenty years ago. All in all, the Draft Horse Sale is an interesting event that anyone can appreciate. You are guaranteed to learn something!

  The New York State Draft Horse Club has been in existence since the mid 1930s. War times suspended the operations of the club until 1956 when it was incorporated and has steadily grown since. Today they boast over 300 members. The club sponsors many events throughout the year, including the harvesting of ice, hay, grain and corn.  

 The NYS Draft Horse Club promotes youth involvement with draft horses realizing that without youths there is no future. The club's mission is to promote the use of draft horses and increase the number of responsible owners.  

 For more information on the NYS Draft Horse Club or draft horses in general, please contact: David Johnson, President NYS Draft Horse Club, (315) 662-3440; Ken Marks, Vice President NYS Draft Horse Club
(607) 898-5101; Vicki Mulligan, Secretary NYS Draft Horse Club
(315) 837-4216.