The Association members met again at the end of June for a three day "wagon train". This event was held on 800+ acre farm of Mr Jim Mahan near Lexington Ky, within 5 miles of the above mentioned Kentucky Horse Park. It is a beautiful spot with Jim's large modern "log cabin" home perched on the hill overlooking the valley where we camped. Several "rides" occurred over the weekend with groups of wagons of all sorts taking leisurely trips all over Jim's farm and the surrounding roadways. Outriders riding saddle horses accompanied the draft horses and mules.

The highlight of the weekend was the Saturday evening picnic where campers and other members all got together to celebrate their love for the draft horse. It was a great success with each member family bringing a covered dish and/or a dessert to share with everyone. Overall attendance for the weekend was quite good with about 30 member families camping out with the group.

Our fall event was scheduled in conjunction with the Community Draft Horse Association and was held in late October. It was not very well attended. There was some much needed rain on the scheduled weekend and the event was moved to the following Saturday and Sunday. Only about 20 members were present with their teams. It was an absolutely gorgeous site with tall stately oak trees and those who were there really enjoyed the large bonfire that was needed to ward off the cool fall weather.

The final event that the KDHA is involved in each year is the North American International Livestock Exhibition held in Louisville, KY each November. This is a three week long livestock event which draws participants from all over the United States and Canada. During the three weeks, there is a two day draft horse show that is staffed by members of the KDHA and it is Association members who provide all of the trophies. This is a first class show with judging in halter classes and show hitch classes ranging from the one horse cart class up to and including the 6 horse hitch. The ring-man for the show was long time member and father of our secretary, George Cooke. The barns and make-up ring were under the control and direction of our president, Bobby VanHook.

This show is a money maker for the Association, in that we sell chances on a drawing for a hand made quilt which is given away at the end of the show. Thousands of spectators are exposed to the draft horse over the two day event.

Well, that brings us to the end of 1999. I hope you found this information interesting.

The log cabin!!

If you would like to become a member of the Kentucky Draft Horse Association, contact me at my E-mail address popsandlin@AOL.com or call our secretary Laketa Richie at 502-875-3759. The dues is only $10 (US) and you receive 3-4 newsletters each year about the goings on in the Association.