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Oklahoma Draft Horse and Mule Association
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Oklahoma Draft Horse and Mule Association |
ODHMA Activities |
| Size does matter
for lovers of the largest horses in the world. Formed approximately 20
years ago, the Oklahoma Draft Horse and Mule Association (ODHMA)
celebrates the joy of owning Draft Horses and Mules. Draft Horse breeds
associated with the club are Suffolks, Shires, Haflingers, Belgians,
Percherons and Clydesdales. Mules are also an important part of the club.
Many members own draft cross mules as well.
The ODHMA meets six to eight times each year. Two of those meetings are elections and planning meetings. The rest are held as association play days, clinics and get togethers usually involving the draft horses and mules. Play days are a great time to show off the versatility of the breed, according to Sula Robertson, past president and long-time member of the association. "We invite the public to our play days because it is a great time to educate them about draft animals," Sula said. "We let them actually have their hands on the lines and do some driving." Play days can consist of plowing, wagon rides, cart and log obstacle courses. "We recently had a play day in May in Tuttle held in conjunction with an antique tractor show. We participated in a parade, had plowing, wagon rides and obstacle courses." Draft horses compete against each other during the State Fair of Oklahoma and the Tulsa State Fair. Usually the group has 50-60 horses participating. Some of the classes include fancy show cart classes and show harnesses, bareback riding, log obstacles, wagon obstacle courses, costume classes and halter classes. Mules are usually separated into their own classes. Sula says that much planning and preparation has to go into hauling around all of the equipment needed for shows and play days. "We have to have different wagons, carts and harnesses – it’s not just a few things to throw in your horse trailer," she said. The ODHMA has demonstrated farm equipment and other draft horse activities at Dizzy Dean Day in Spaulding, Okla. The Spaulding Antique Tractor Club has also participated in the celebration. Many of the club members are involved in lots of different activities–from cattle drives to hauling grand marshals in parades. Two of their members in the Oklahoma City area do wagon rides at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. In December, several members participate in a Christmas parade in Lawrence, Kansas. The parade features horse drawn entrants all with wooden wheels and antique type wagons. Members of the organization also have other breeds of horses and some don’t even own horses. |
The Oklahoma Draft
Horse and Mule Association is open to anyone who is interested in draft
horses and mules but you don’t have to own a horse or mule to join. If
you are interested in joining the Oklahoma Draft Horse and Mule
Association, membership is just $10 per year for a single (individual)
membership, $20 for a family membership (2 adults and all children) and $5
for a junior membership (under 16 years of age). For more information,
contact Perri Burnett at 918-371-6172.
Members receive a bi-monthly newsletter.
Ginny Rierson, President
Sula Robertson,
Secretary/Treasurer ODHMA 2004 Events Feb. 28 (or March 6 as a rain date)- Log clearing at the Payne County Fairgrounds Stillwater, OK Becky Benjamin 918-283-0242 for more information March 20 (or March 28 as a rain date) – Plow Day at Craig & Jen Massey’s S. of Bristow, OK Jen Massey 918-367-8907 for more information May 22 – Trail Ride at the Payne County Fairgrounds, Stillwater, OK (There was a motion to have one of the ODHMA field days on May 22nd at the Payne County Fairgrounds. Motion 2nd and approved. User fee is $50 and a concession stand will be available.) July 10 – Beginner’s Free Driving Clinic, Doug & Sula Robertson’s at Locust Grove, OK 9:00 to 12:00 Clinic limited to 30 drivers-ODHMA members must call to reserve a spot in this Clinic before June 20th. 918-479-5463 Aug. 21 – Payne County Driving Show (OK Harness Horse Assn) Sept. 17, 18, 19 – State Fair of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK DATES NOT OFFICIAL YET Oct 1, 2 – Tulsa State Fair, Tulsa, OK DATES NOT OFFICIAL YET Oct. 16 - Kannon Draft Sale, Claremore, OK Call Stephanie Hough for more information Nov. 16 – ODHMA Election of officers. Guthrie, OK 11:00 a.m. Granny Had One Restaurant For more information on the Oklahoma Draft Horse and
Mule Association, |
