USA Plowing Contest 2008

by Jim Butcher of Huber Heights, OH
photos by Jim Scherer

This year began as many of the other years. January started the work in process for the contest to be held eight months later while wondering what the summer would bring. How many would be able to plow this year because of, or in spite of, problems within the families of the plow people?

I had heard stories of horses being injured, owners with broken bones and the worst being members of families passing away. Yet, they still came to compete, enjoying the setting with their friends, many of whom had made friends in the previous years at Carriage Hill or similar places. Plowers were looking forward to continuing the friendships with new stories and taking home a few more memories.

As always, we are looking for the very best people to compete and again this year we were not disappointed. Six classes were opened, and with the exception of the Youth Class, we had a good cross section from the United States to compete in all classes.

Oxen in the Field

Many of the repeat competitors were here, from the best in their respective state, or plowing representatives in a neighboring state, hoping to become the 2008 champion this year. We also had a sprinkling of new talent and the presence of a wonderful span of oxen, thanks to Mike Shields from Kentucky.

Mike tells the story of his good friend, Sheldon Nation, from Shelbyville Kentucky who was getting ready to show his team of oxen. He restored a walking plow and had the oxen in the field training them. Unexpectedly, Sheldon passed away early in the spring. Continuing Sheldon’s goal of competing, Mike brought the oxen to Ohio and showed how this span of Devon cattle could plow. And did they ever! It was quite enjoyable to watch! Many spectators were seeing oxen plow for their first time ever. A team of oxen working in the furrow is not something you see very often. I wish Mike many years of continuing success in working with the team.

As the contest continues, year after year, we evolve as conditions change and sometimes a new horizon comes into focus. Where should the contest go? Is it to remain the same format, or is there something that needs to be addressed to make it better? Talking one evening with eight of my cohorts, it was mentioned not to change things at this point. However, if there are some ideas out there that will make the contest more appealing, while continuing to be fun and wholesome, I would enjoy the opportunity to discuss them with you.

Mother Nature and Bits and Pieces

Mother Nature has had the upper hand in plowing the last two years – short on rain for some time, high temperatures, and a consistent drying wind that does not allow moisture to remain in the soil. The ground was as hard as a glacier boulder and at times came out of the ground resembling the glacier! As can be attested by Ed Martin from Michigan, who broke a moldboard on his plow the first day of plowing, the ground was rock solid.

One memorable highlight this year came from Dellis Rowan of West Virginia. Dellis won his event with an antique walking plow. By the way, Dellis turned 77 years young this year. On the other end of the spectrum was Matthew Adams, 19 years old, from Castlewood, Virginia. What a show he put on for us, winning the high point prize and taking home the honor of being able to return next year and compete in the International part of our plowing contest.

Dancing in the Furrows

Who would ever believe that Mike Adkins, from Ohio, encouraged Lynn Miller to demonstrate to the spectators how the Dead Furrow Mambo should be danced? It started when someone stumbled over rock hard dirt and did a recovery step that caught the eye of the announcer. A dialog followed and finally the now famous “dance” was born. Before it was over Lynn, Mike, and Mike Downs were putting on a demonstration on how to have a good time while plowing. There were also some pointed remarks about age and the cleverness of the dancers involved.

Now let’s take a look at the winners:

High Point Winner
Matthew Adams – VA

Gang Plow
1st Kurt Shroyer – OH
2nd Neal O’Bryant – MI

Walking Plow
1st Mike McCormick – OH
2nd Sam Rich – CT
3rd Mike Downs – KY

2-Horse Sulky
1st Matthew Adams – VA
2nd Jim Greenman – IN
3rd Ralph Shroyer – OH

3-Horse Sulky
1st Kurt Shroyer – OH
2nd Jim Greenman – IN
3rd Neal O’Bryant – MI

Antique Plow
1st Dellis Rowan – WV
2nd Jeff Becker – KY
3rd Mike McCormick – OH

Youth
1st John Stull – KY

International
1st Mike Adkins – OH
2nd Sam Rich – CT
3rd Fred Kiger – WV

Open
1st Roger Vogel – OH
2nd Charlie Orme – KY
3rd Bill Begg – OH

This event could not be held if it weren’t for the volunteers and sponsors that make it all possible. With sincere gratitude to the many and generous individuals who helped bring our 2008 Plowing Contest from the beginning to end, I want to say “Thank you.” To all my plowing friends, I say “See you next year and bring a friend.”