Oregons New Old Plowing Match

Oregon’s New/Old Plowing Match

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Oregon’s New/Old Plowing Match

by Lynn R. Miller
photographs by Justin Miller

After a hiatus of more than a decade, the Oregon Draft Horse community has a full-fledged Draft Horse and Mule Plowing Competition once again. Organization president Duane Van Dyke was quite excited about the conversion back to competition from the long standing ‘demonstration’ play days that have been held over recent years. This year’s May event featured a whole lot of animals and a great crowd of participants and spectators all enjoying the emerald green beauty of Champoeg State Park.

Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Lester Courtney in the sulky plow class.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Lise Hubbe of Sweetwell Farm with Grace and Daisy. She won her class.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Venerable competitor Jerry Lee answers crowd questions.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Organizer Duane Van Dyke with his Shire team.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Competitors lined up along the fence to receive awards.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Lynn Miller finishes out dead furrow with the Pioneer Footlift prototype.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Josh Kezele of Terrebonne, Oregon, demonstrating the form which won him the Junior class.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Mike McIntosh lines out his six Belgians on the Pioneer Gang plow.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
This year’s judges were two gentlemen who have been central to the Oregon Draft horse scene for near on 50 years. Malcomb McInnis (left) and Dan Kintz (right) put four eagle eyes to each and every furrow.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
The Pioneer gang plow cuts a crown furrow pass.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Mike McIntosh also competed in the riding plow division with this John Deere Two Way, coming in first place in his class.
Oregons New Old Plowing Match
Spectators were kept on the other side of the fence watching the competitors which were spread out over nearly a quarter mile of plots.