Welcome to the Georgia Draft Horse Association

PRESIDENT : JOHN AYERS
VICE-PRESIDENT: JILL MALONE
SECRETARY/TREASURER : ROXANNE JANES

Please contact any officer or Board member
if you have questions, comments or suggestions.
Remember, the GDHA is YOUR club!

Our Purpose and Goal

The Georgia Draft Horse Association is a non-profit organization with the primary objective of
promoting the use of draft horses throughout the State of Georgia.

Our goal is to bring individuals with a love for these magnificent animals together at a variety of events and
venues where they can exhibit and enjoy their horses in the company of like-minded people.
We offer a number of events throughout the year including shows, field days, riding days,
harnessing & driving clinics, seminars and demonstrations.
Membership is open to any person interested in the breeding, showing,
use or promotion of draft horses and is unrestricted as to residence.

History
The Association was originally formed in the mid-1980's by a group of people
interested promoting and using draft horses and mules in Georgia.
Then known as the Georgia Draft Horse & Mule Association, many programs were set up
involving shoeing, grooming, harnessing and training the horse and mule for work and pleasure.
There were field days, wagon trains and draft horse and mule shows where the public was invited to
observe, with the main objective being social and promotional.

In 1995 the name of the association was changed to the Georgia Draft Horse Association with the purpose
being much the same as the original founders - supporting and promoting the draft horse, establishing friendly
relationships between members and promoting the exchange of knowledge and ideas pertaining to draft horses.

In the past the association has introduced thousands of people to draft horses via the
Gwinnett County Fair through exhibits and shows.
In 1994 the association was invited to the National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, Georgia ,
where our draft horses were exhibited to the public. Since that time, we have held a
Class C Draft Horse Show each year in mid-October at the Georgia National Fair.

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ATTENTION

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES TO THE 2010 PERRY SHOW

GDHA Perry Show Changes for 2010:

1. The show classes will be divided into divisions as follows:

Heavy Draft (HD) – This will ONLY include purebred Belgians, Clydesdales, Shires, and Percherons.
Light Draft (LD) - This will ONLY include Haflingers (taller than 14.2), Suffolks, Fjords, Brabants, Spotted Drafts, and American Creams. Note, Gypsy Vanners, Fresians, and Cleveland Bays are EXCLUDED. This division will also include draft half-crosses. Draft half-crosses must exhibit common draft characteristics such as heavy muscling, feathering, height, and weight.
Draft Ponies (PD) - This will include draft type ponies (Haflinger, Welsh, Fell, etc. ) and draft-pony crosses that are 14.2 hands and under. Again, ponies should exhibit common draft characteristics.
Any one horse CANNOT enter more than one division.

The ringmaster will have final say so as to eligibility of a horse in the arena. If there is any question concerning which division your horse should go into, please see the show coordinator prior to entering the class.

Any class designated as “open” means the class is open to all three divisions of horses as well as open to all ages of exhibitors except children under the age of 8 years. The minimum age for exhibitors is 8.

2. The performance classes will have a further designation for the following:

Show (S) - hitch wagon or show cart, show harness with scotch collars, with shoes
Pleasure (P) – two or four wheel vehicle, pleasure type harness, farm or parade harness, shoes optional

3. Due to the additional costs associated with hiring a “riding” judge the following changes have been made for the riding classes:

There will be an English Show Hitch Under Saddle Walk/Trot.
There will be an English Pleasure Under Saddle Walk/Trot.
There will be a Western Show Hitch Under Saddle Walk/Trot.
There will be a Western Pleasure Under Saddle Walk/Trot.
The Walk/Trot/Canter class will be for heavy and light drafts.

In the past the association has rotated judges based on the judge’s ownership/experience by breed, i.e. a Belgian judge one year, a Clyde judge the next and a Percheron judge the following year. This will change beginning with the 2011 show so that the show committee will interview heavy draft judges who also have riding judging experience regardless of breed association.

4. Due to the large number of refunds given to exhibitors and the chaos this caused in bookkeeping and stalling last year, the show committee has decided that NO refunds will be given for any reason beginning in 2010. When an exhibitor sends in their entry form by the deadline of September 15^th, this reserves stalls for their horses and guarantees class fees at the lower rate of $6.00 per class even if the exhibitor adds more classes at the show. Those wishing to enter that may not be certain of their ability to attend the show can always enter the day of the show but at the higher class fee of $10.00 per class.

5. Last year the show committee added the open barrel racing class to add some spice to the show. Since the class was well received by exhibitors the committee has added a new class for “Open Costume Anything Goes”. This class will be for exhibitors 11 years old - adult. Judging will be by the audience and first place will receive $100.00 in premiums.

Thank you for your understanding of how many demands are placed on the show committee each and every year. Through many meetings, discussions, and compromises the committee has distilled what we hope will in some way satisfy our exhibitors and our customers, the spectators.

Carla Beckom,
Perry Show Coordinator
GDHA Perry Show Committee

GEORGIA DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION

No. 4 _______________________________________________________________________July/August, 2010

SUMMER ADVENTURES!

If you are looking for an escape from the heat to go do something fun with your drafts? Well, I’ve got an idea for you! We just got back from driving and riding in Blowing Rock, NC! Johnny & I loaded up Star and Mario, a couple of saddles and a cart & harness and went driving & riding on top of the world. (literally) We went with Lynn & Tom Johnson and Ebenezer, Claudia Oliver and Duke, & met up with Charley & Sherry Lee with their two beautiful Morgans. There were many other folks there from the Fun Riding & Driving Club as well as many folks from the TN Carriage Assoc. Everyone spent awesome days of riding and driving in what I now think is about the most beautiful place on earth. There was a nice equestrian center to stall your horses attached to miles & miles of nice wide trails with good footing, gradual slopes, and beautiful scenery. It was about 85 there, (when it was almost 100 here in Cleveland), so the weather was nice and we were able to drive & ride all day without burning alive!

Most everyone camped on site at the barns, or for the people that really loved to rough it like our group – there were awesome rental cabins everywhere – you know the neat mountain cabins complete with jacuzzis for relaxing in the evenings after a nice dinner out! (now that’s my kind of roughing it!)

Claudia! You did an awesome job following us through the mountain tops with your new truck & trailer! You and Duke have officially graduated from the Mtn. Driving Crash Course without a scratch!! YOU GO GIRL!
Highly recommended! I definitely see Blowing Rock again in our future! Thanks to Charley & Sherry Lee for inviting us to this beautiful place!

If you’re interested, you can get more info at:
Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve. (828-295-4700) or info@blowingrockequestrian.com

Submitted by: Rebecca Cannon.
p.s. – fun fact! Did you know that on the trails, what seem to be the most dead broke western light horses are scared to death of a Clydesdale and a cart? We had to stop dead still and let them go around us very wide, with their EYES just about to POP out of their heads! lol.

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THE WAY IT WAS……………
It may be because I’m getting a little older, but I find myself “remembering” more things of the past these days. If you’ve been around for a while you will remember that, in its earlier days, the primary objective of the Georgia Draft Horse Association, was “promoting the use of draft horses throughout the State of Georgia”.
It’s my belief that as member of this great organization, we have gotten away from our humble beginning. (Now where have you heard that statement before?) Anyway, when I first joined, in 1992, members actually enjoyed participating in field days, riding days, harnessing & having driving clinics, seminars and just getting together with other members and having a great time with our families and horses. There were actually monthly meetings where plans were made to maybe have a plowing match or barbecue, etc. I don’t know about you, but two “shows” a year is not exactly what I want out of my “hobby” and is not exactly “promoting the use of the draft horse”. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good show, but I’ve also had fun on a wagon train or showing those Quarter Horse “cowgirls” that I can actually ride my Clyde. (It’s surprising how many people actually believe that you can NOT ride a draft horse.)
In going through our Association Archives, I ran across some pictures and articles I wanted to share, in hopes that as members, we can turn the clock back once again and work together in bringing back some of those great memories and enjoy some of the things we once did together as a “team” of proud draft horse owners who truly enjoyed “showing off” the versatility of these “gentle giants”. If you’d like to get back to some of these types of activities, please let an officer or board member know. You can even let me know (770-422-5142) and just maybe we can have an “activity committee” to make plans for get togethers with exciting new adventures.
See if you recognize anyone in these old articles attached below, (note the date: 1989) and be sure to notice these members were doing a demonstration of their horses and mules. How long has it been since any of you have participated or put on a demonstration?

Submitted by: Lawana Smith-Higgins

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2010 PERRY SHOW PROGRAM

The Perry Program is here! Please see all information for this fall’s show included with this newsletter! The entry dead-line is September 15^th. Get those entries in!

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IDER, AL DRAFT HORSE SHOW:

Attached is a copy of the 2010 Ider Program. Come join in the fun on Labor Day! The show is at 11:00 a.m. CST right after the big parade! There will be lots of interesting stuff for you to see and lots of good things to eat too! Ya’ll come now! Contact Mr. William Crow for more information @ 256-632-2524.

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FIVE HORSES:

Now this is mythical, deep, and truly beautiful!
A man asked an American Indian what was his wife’s name. He replied, “She called Five Horses”.
The man said, “That’s an unusual name for your wife. What does it mean?”
The old Indian answered, “It old Indian name. It mean…
NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG.”

Submitted by: I know you probably already know WHO sent this one in, - yep, you guessed it!

Thanks Charley Lee!

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2010 DRAFT EVENTS CALENDAR:

August 7 – Murray County Saddle Club Open Show
Contact: Brittany Edgerton (423-255-3267)

August 28-29 – Sixth Annual Draft Horse Days 2010
Carriage Hill MetroPark Farm - Dayton, Ohio
Contact: Rick Musselman (937-277-4834)
(rick.musselman@metroparks.org)

Sept. 4 – Murray County Saddle Club Open Show
Contact: Brittany Edgerton (423-255-3267)

Sept. 6 – Ider, AL Draft Horse Show & Parade
Contact: Mr. William Crow (256-632-2524)

October 1 – Topeka Fall Carriage Auction,
Topeka, IN
Contact: (260-593-2522)

October 2 – Murray County Saddle Club Open Show
Contact: Brittany Edgerton (423-255-3267)

October 15 & 16 - GDHA GA National Fair Draft Horse Show, Perry, GA
Contact: Carla Beckom (770-358-2678)

October 18 & 19 – NC State Fair Draft Horse Show
Raleigh, NC
Contact: (919-839-4701)

October 25–31 – World Percheron Congress,
Des Moines, IA
Contact: (740-694-3602)

November 2-5 – Topeka Fall Draft Horse Sale
Topeka, IN
Contact: (260-593-2522)

November 10-12 – Southern GA Horse, Carriage & Antique Auction
Contact: Paul Raber (812-486-2786)
(sgaauction@yahoo.com)

November 12-13 – NAILE Draft Horse Show
Louisville, KY
Contact: 502-595-3166
(kfecnaile@ksfb.ky.gov)

November 26-27 – Dixie Draft Horse/Mule & Carriage Auction
Troutman, NC
Contact: Dean Beachy (330-893-3541)

(If you know of any draft horse related events that you think any GDHA members would like to attend or would possibly be interested in participating, please contact Rebecca Cannon with the information & date to be added to this calendar.)
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VOLUNTEER’S NEEDED!

If you have any suggestions, ideas, or would like to volunteer to host a meeting, please get in touch with an officer or Board Member.

2010 Officers:

President: John Ayers (678) 753-0737
Vice President: Jill Malone (770) 735-1549
Sec./Treasurer: Roxanne Janes (770) 479-7110

Board Members:

Carla Beckom: (770) 358-2678
Jack Beckom: (770) 358-2678
Barbara Branch: (706) 677-2712
Ken Janes: (770) 479-7110

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THE NEWSLETTER STAFF:

Roxanne Janes (770) 479-7110 (rjanes@alltel.net)
Lawana Smith (770) 422-5142 (DoubleSFarm@aol.com)
Rebecca Cannon (423) 339-0694 fairwindsclydes@gmail.com

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