The finals of the Ontario Horse Hitch Series will be held at the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show in October.
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The series will mark the culmination of a season of competition between talented four-horse hitches, said Malcolm Yeardon, chair of the series.
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“We anticipate record-breaking turnouts with 19 fairs across Ontario hosting 27 qualifying classes throughout the summer and early fall,” said series director Sarah Robinson.
Four-horse hits, including Clydesdales, Shire, Percheron, and Belgian, from across Eastern Canada and the Northern United States will have the opportunity to earn points throughout these qualifiers. At the end of the qualifying season, the Top 10 teams with the highest point totals will be invited to compete in the series finals, where they will vie for the championship title, judged by a panel of draft experts on their horses’ appearance, motion , harness, overall presentation and driver ability.
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“Elevating the experience for everyone involved in the Ontario Four is paramount,” said Yeadon. “The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, with its rich history and commitment to agriculture, aligns perfectly with our mission. We’re confident this venue will provide a truly exceptional setting for our season finale.”
The Norfolk Fair and Horse Show has a long-standing tradition of celebrating agriculture, horsemanship and community. The decision to move the event was made with the goal of enhancing the overall experience for hits, partners and spectators, while reaching a wider audience, said Yeadon.
“We are delighted to welcome the Ontario Four Horse Hitch Series finals to our program and we are confident it will be a crowd-pleaser for fairgoers of all ages,” said Vicki Cork, chair of the show committee. “This collaboration not only adds to the diversity of our programming but also highlights the importance of preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of draft horses. We are excited at the prospect of welcoming hits from across Canada – and even into the United State – while elevating our already esteemed heavy horse show.”
Eli Ebersol of Nature Wave’s Inc./Eberglo, a partner of the Ontario Four, said partnerships are key to making these events possible.
“The move to Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show represents a collaboration that demonstrates our shared commitment to promoting and celebrating the tradition of heavy horse competitions,” said Ebersol.
The Ontario Four Horse Hitch Series finals will take place on Oct. 11, coinciding with the fair. The rain date is Oct. 12.
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