Draft horses thrill spectators at plow day
Apr. 28—PLYMOUTH — The fourth edition of the Baldwin Percheron Plow Day brought dozens of people to plow, or watch people plow, a tract of land along Seven Hills Road.
Joel Baldwin sponsors the annual event on land he rents from the Stevenson family in Plymouth Township. He plants crops on the land later in the spring.
Baldwin said he enjoys providing the opportunity for residents to see draft horses plowing fields and allowing horse owners the chance to show their animals in front of a crowd.
Intimidating weather did not slow up the event as the rain, and accompanying lightning, cleared out of the area. By 11 a.m., dozens of people were participating in the event.
"The hope was to get as many people here as possible," Baldwin said.
Eleven owners brought their horses to Plymouth to display their skills.
Baldwin said he rented a large tent to house the food offerings provided by the Plymouth Grange because of the possibility of rain. The grange is able to keep the profits and residents have the opportunity to eat while watching the horses.
Baldwin decided to go on with the event on Friday evening, but said he received a lot of calls on Saturday morning, as people questioned whether the event would occur.
Jan Sharp, of Sheffield Township, brought two of her miniature horses so children could pet the animals. She said the smaller horses generally don't do a lot of plowing, but she brought a 10-inch plow and renovated it for the small horses at her home.
"We can turn the grass over," she said with a laugh.
Andrew Nido, of Alliance, brought his horses to the event.
"Just playing in the dirt with my big-boy toys," he said with a laugh.
Jacob Clevenger drove more than three hours from Johnstown, Pennsylvania to show his horses, Baldwin said.
"I hope this keeps growing. The more exposure it gets the bigger it will get," Baldwin said.
Children also got the opportunity to ride in a wagon pulled by draft horses.
"Rachel Robison, of the Rock Creek area, came to do just that," Baldwin said of the woman who took load after load of children up and down the field.
The event was free, and many spectators brought folding chairs and small tents to customize the experience to their liking.
"I happened to see it on Facebook. This is wonderful, said Lisa Miller, of Ashtabula.
She said she remembers getting to ride draft horses at the Ashtabula County Fair.
