September
In September, the club demonstrates how corn was harvested using horses. The weather is usually brilliant and spectators are welcome to join in the fun by helping load and unloading wagons with corn stalks that have been cut by horse drawn corn binders.
October
In 1979, the Club began sponsoring a fall sale of draft horses and equipment. The purpose of the sale is to promote New York State Draft horses and give beginners a place to buy horses and necessary equipment. The sale is held at the Cortland County Fairgrounds in Cortland, NY, the first week of October, and has grown to a two-day event. The club charges a small commission on all sales to help offset costs.
New York State Draft Horse Club
January & February
The first event of the year is normally (weather permitting) an old fashion ice harvest in Tully, New York. The Club joins with the Tully Historical Society to demonstrate the cutting and storage of ice. Usually, there’s an ice cream social in July which uses the harvested ice.
March & April
In late March or early April the Club sponsors a Draft Horse Seminar normally held at the Morrisville College campus in Morrisville, NY. Topics include various aspects of horse health and management presented in lecture form. There are also a number of demonstrations and hands-on opportunities presented by Club members. Topics usually include how to show your horse, harnessing, shoeing, and a display of major draft breeds.
January 22nd - Meeting @ Lafayette VFW, 7:30PM | February 19th - Meeting @ Lafayette VFW, 7:30PM | March 19th - Meeting @ Lafayette VFW, 7:30 PM |
April TBD - Annual Clinic | May 15th - Plow Days @ Minturn's, Sennett, NY, 10:00AM | June 11th & 12th - Trail Drive @ Brookfield 18th - Meeting at Lafayette VFW, 7:30 PM |
July TBD - Summer Picnic - | August 2nd - 4th - Empire Farm Days - Pompey 6th - Wheat Harvest, Kings Ferry | September 1st - 4th - NYS Fair Draft Horse Show @ NYS Fairgrounds 17th - Meeting at Lafayette VFW, 7:30 PM 18th - Corn Harvest, Fuller Farm, Groton |
October 1st - DHC Sale Set up, Cortland Fair Grounds, Cortland 7th & 8th - DHCSale, Cortland Fair Grounds 9th - Sale Tear Down 22nd - Meeting @ Lafayette VFW, 7:30 PM | November 3rd - Annual Banquet @ TBA | December 3rd - Organizational Meeting @ Lafayette VFW, 6:30 PM |
July
In July, the members gather for a Club picnic usually at a member’s farm. There’s good food and lots of time to swap stories about draft horses. There’s also time for beginners to pick the brains of experienced members. Later in July, club members support the annual Hay Day held in Auburn, NY where we demonstrate raking hay with horses and the use of a stationary baler.
ANNUAL EVENTS
The New York State Draft Horse Club sponsors several projects each year designed to promote draft horses in New York.
August
In August, the club joins with Kings Ferry Historical Society to demonstrate how grain was cut, threshed and the straw baled in the late 1800’s. Horses pull the grain binder and the wagons that are used to transport the wheat to the thresher. There are also free horse drawn wagon rides for spectators.
June
In June, Club members meet for a two day trail drive at Brookfield State Park. There is camping, a barbeque dinner, stories around the campfire and fun.
May
On the third Sunday in May the Club holds a plowing demonstration at a suitable location, usually in central New York. Teams from New York as well as neighboring states demonstrate the art of plowing with draft horses using riding and walking plows. There are also log skidding and obstacle course competitions and the public enjoys a grand display of how it used to be.