Monday, February 17th, 2025

In Ontario, there is a long-standing tradition of excellence in draft horse exhibitions.

After a very successful show in 2014, the committee members of the Essa Canadian National Draft Horse Exhibition (ECNDHE) and the Essa and District Agricultural Society are excited to announce the particulars and continue that excellence in 2015.

The exhibition will return to the Essa Agriplex in Thornton August 1-2 this year.

A full slate of line classes for Belgian, Clydesdale, and Percherons will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning with mares, followed Sunday at 9 a.m. with stallions, geldings and youth classes.

Opening ceremonies, including the singing of the National Anthem is scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Afterwards, starting at 1:30 p.m., horses will be decorated in their stable colours and adorned with leather harnesses to perform in their respective classes, including the six-horse hitch classic series class each day.

Following the judging of the classic on Saturday, the exhibition is proud to announce, new this year, the eight-horse hitch class.

On Saturday evening, starting at 6:30 p.m., horse enthusiasts should prepare themselves for the much-anticipated horse pull competition. Draft horses will have the chance to show their power and strength and fans will see why these horses are so important to agriculture. The Gypsy Vanner Horses will be competing as part of their own show on both days again this year.

New to the exhibition this year, The Commercials are coming on Sunday to entertain the crowds and compete in various hitch classes throughout the afternoon. The Commercials are a breed of horse that served this nation at the turn of the 20th century as delivery animals in the City of Toronto and other urban centres in a time too easily forgotten.

On Sunday, champion mares, stallions and geldings from all breeds return for an opportunity to compete in the Fisk Canadian Ultimate Supreme Draft Horse Halter Challenge.

A silent auction will be held during the weekend event, with artisnal crafts and agricultural goods being available for bidding. Additionally, food vendors will be on site for the convenience of exhibitors and spectators alike.

After the cancellation of the National Exhibition’s Horse Show in Toronto in 2014, members of the draft horse community rallied together to bring premium draft horse exhibitions to the public.

Presented by local horse owners, breeders and exhibitors and the Essa and County District Agricultural Society, the Essa Canadian National Draft Horse Exhibition offers an exciting weekend just north of the city on the August long weekend.

The Essa Agriplex is a 100-acre facility located just south of Barrie, Ontario at 7505 10th Line in Thornton and is operated by the Essa and District Agricultural Society. The Agriplex facility officially broke ground in August 2011.

The Agriplex offers event facilities for agricultural, educational, recreational and historical functions.

For more information, visit www.ecndhs.com or www.essaagriplex.ca.

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