Inevitably each year when the Pennsylvania Farm Show comes around it snows with frigid temperatures. I have attended the Farm Show for many years prior but was excited for a day filled with celebrating agriculture in a new role. I started my day by visiting with the Pennsylvania Equine Council which supports education, programming, and legislature for Pennsylvania equestrians. They have a real horse that the public can pet which as I saw so many kids eyes light up, it made me even more grateful and appreciative to have horses in my daily life. There are so many exhibits, shops, species, and food options that I am sure I did not see it all as I explored the many halls. Throughout the day I filmed a “day in the life” video for social media which was fun to capture short clips. I love watching day in the life videos so if you haven’t already be sure to check it out on my 2024 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen socials on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. While waiting for the Celebrity Feed Scurry that I would be participating in I got to meet Pennsylvania royalty such as the State Fair Queen and State Dairy Princesses. It was fun to compare components of our contests and congratulated each other on making it to these prestigious roles.
The time had come for the Celebrity Feed Scurry where there were 32 competitors from royalty, sponsors, and public officials. They brought in teams of draft horses and harnessed them to the feed scurry which looks like a large flatbed. When the race started the driver, which was one of the competitors, would drive the team to a pallet of straw, then the “mucker” who was usually an FFA member would load 4 straw bales onto the scurry then the driver would drive around a cone to then unload the straw. This was a timed event that had its fair share of good laughs. Finally in the last heat it was my turn against a Pennsylvania Representative. I had only ever driven a miniature horse in a cart once but I thought I'd been around horses for 20 years. How hard could it be? The team’s owner reminded me ironically that draft horses do not neck rein. I held the reins the same way you would for Hunt Seat but I later learned that was not ideal. My team was quite excited and when we could start they went left hard, and I pulled with all my might. It was an interesting feeling to say the least, as if I couldn’t stop this team. The owner took the reins and told the team HAW which means go right. After we straightened out I took the reins and had a much smoother drive. It was neat that regardless of the discipline nothing beats a strong WOAH command.
Fun Fact! Driving vocal commands:
Gee = Left
Haw = Right
I would like to thank the Friends of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Foundation, Pennsylvania Equine Council, and Pennsylvania Draft Horse Association for hosting and allowing me to participate in such a fun event!
Next Up: Banquet Season!
