Drafts and Sheep

Despite the cold and threat of snow flurries, it's always fun to walk around Landis Valley. 

They had several activities for children today including a lesson, 1892 style, in their old school house.

This black Clydesdale was really keeping his eye on that sheep!

An adorable Percheron was checking out my camera. He was interested in the noises it was making. 

Tanya the Turkey is one of my favorite Landis Valley residents. She's so ugly, she's cute!

This is inside the school house. I was never able to go in the classroom before! 

The teacher did a wonderful job telling as all about what school would have been like in the late 1800's.
The flag had a few less stars on it and The Pledge was different, no mention of God.

Wrought iron detail from one of the desks. 

They don't make 'em like they used to!

I love the rusty hinges on the gun shop door. 

Peeking in the tavern window. 

Love the Christmas cookies.

 Hanging inside, you can just make it out in the photo below, is a German style tree, hung upside down, with cookies and pretzels for decoration.

I just opened a pro Flickr account. I have an album with my favorite Landis Valley photos HERE.

Lady Gaga at the Farm Show!

Well, the Longhorn Lady Gaga was at the farm show.

Isn't she sweet? I laughed out loud when I saw her name tag.

This little Longhorn was getting a wash from his mama.

This sheep didn't look very happy about her haircut.



And I think this coppery hog was dreaming of happier days.

An unusual hand made wedding dress for the lady who like to hunt perhaps?

Caught some of the PA High School Rodeo. I couldn't believe how young some of the bronc riders were and how close their heads came to pounding hooves! Yikes!



Next we watched a young draft riding competition.

 Lots of nice horses and riders.

I couldn't believe how small some of those kids were on top of those large drafts!

Next was an English class for draft horses.

I like this lady's dressage attire.



And this white percheron had pretty pink flowers in her tail and a heart shaved into her rump.



Men's Clydesdale Cart Class was next. this one in pink placed 2nd.

This nice pair took 1st place.

We had a great day at the PA Farm Show!

Draft Horses @ the Farm Show

For more photos please go to my Flickr Page.

A lovely horse is always an experience... It is an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words. ~Beryl Markham

Oodles of Percherons

A gaggle of geese, a murder of crows, an oodle of Percherons. Well, maybe I just made the last one up!
We made it to the PA Farm Show today and it was insanely crowded. I am not much of a people person and it is so hard to get around with a 3 year old in tow. Top that with a husband that is not as enamored with farm animals as I am and you get a whirlwind tour of the show. Today I'll post some of the photos I took of the draft horses as they were about to enter the arena for the unicorn hitch class (2 in back, 1 in front). Couldn't really take any photos inside the arena, it's too dark and the horses are moving very fast. I'll post photos of some of the other critters tomorrow.
These horses are so gorgeous and I was surprised how geared up they were to go into the ring. One horse reared up and fell down on the pavement. You could almost feel the ground shake when they trotted past. My daughter loved the silver on the harness and the colorful ribbons in their manes and tails.
Let me know what photo is your favorite!

If you click on each photo you can see a larger view.