GRASS VALLEY — The 23rd annual Draft Horse Classic attracted about 20,000 Draft Horse fans to the Nevada County Fairgrounds for competitions during six performances from Sept. 24-27.

Draft horse exhibitors from California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona and Idaho competed for more than $35,000 in premium awards. Sharon Priebe of Grayling, Mich., judged the draft horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert of Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Mark Mistler of Purcell, Okla., was the horseshoe judge.

Simpson Percherons of Rio Vista, Calif., received the 2009 Draft Horse Classic Ultimate Hitch award, which they have won for six consecutive years. The award was given to the exhibitor who accumulated the most points in the following competitions: Pairs-Gentlemen, Pairs-Ladies, Tandem, Unicorn, Four-Up Rail, Four-Up Driving Competition, Six-Up Rail and the Six-Up Driving Competition. The second place award for Ultimate Hitch went to Hawkes Ranch, owned by Tony and Cheryl Hawkes of Spring Creek, Nev.

For the third consecutive year, Danielle Simpson was recognized as the Outstanding Lady Driver, accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award and contributing to the success of her hitch winning the Ultimate Hitch Award.

Excelling in farm type classes, Jeff Shinn of Placerville, Calif., won the high point competition for the Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award.

The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to Mel Fischer of Big Feather Shires, an honor bestowed upon him by the voting of his fellow teamsters. The award presentation was made by Bonnie Reed of Allied Insurance Company, a sponsor of this special award.

Bill Adams of the Draft Horse & Mule Association presented their special Teamster Award to Tony Hawkes of Hawkes Ranch. Caitlen Hoey-Klick of Over Draft Ranch in Norco, Calif., won the Youth of the Show award.

The Supreme Champion horse was Priest Lake Miss Kelly Girl from the Parnell Ranch, owned by Jack and Michelle Parnell and located in Nordman, Idaho. Priest Lake Miss Kelly Girl was also Grand Champion Mare, and Priest Lake Perfection, also from Parnell Ranch, won Grand Champion Stallion.

Rounding out the awards, Holiday Farms of Wilton, Calif., won the award for the most attractive stall.

The 2009 winners in the Edward Martin Perpetual Draft Horse Shoeing Competition were: Over-all High Point Winner-Don Davis; Best Speciman Shoe-Don Davis; and Best Shod Foot-Mark Paine. The remaining ribbons for over-all points went to: Nick Rossi-2nd place; and Mark Paine-3rd place. Chad Shaw of Colorado won the scholarship from proceeds from last year’s competition, and he will be attending the 5 Star Horseshoeing School in Oklahoma.

Artwork for next year’s Draft Horse Classic poster is “Four Abreast at Rest” by Sharon O’Brien-Lykins of Penn Valley, Calif. O’Brien-Lykins’s art was chosen from more than 100 pieces of art on display for Art at the Classic.

The 2010 Draft Horse Classic will be a celebration of its 24th year and is scheduled for Sept. 23-26. Tickets will go on sale May 1, 2010.

For information, visit: http://www.nevadacountyfair.com/dhc/