Oxford hosts horsepull this weekend
By Jeanie Petersen
Correspondent
OXFORD – Highly trained, muscular athletes are coming to Oxford to compete in a magnificent display of strength. It’s not the Olympics, it’s the 39th Annual Lion’s Horsepull sponsored by the Oxford Lions Club. In Boname Park on East River Road Sunday, teams of massive draft horses, mostly Belgians, specially bred for their strength and agility, will be competing in one of two different weight classes. Pulls start at 1 p.m.
The Oxford Lions Club’s Horsepull has been having their annual event, since 1967. An Oxford tradition, and now an online I Love NY tourism event, it always attracts droves of excited fans to root for their favorites. Since the start, Oxford Lion Howard Smith has been the emcee as well as a participant, and this year will be no exception. (Last year he won 2nd place in the heavyweight division with horses Bruce and Jay who went 21’7”, pulling 4,000 lbs.!) Smith brings his expertise and knowledge to ensure a smooth running and exciting pull.
For those who are new to the sport, here’s some background information. Horsepulling is a sport that started about a hundred years ago by competitive farmers who wanted to see who had the strongest work horses. The goal is for a team of two horses to make a 27 1/2 foot “qualifying pull”-- (once determined a safe distance) – with certain weights on the “horse pulling machine” (a truck on skid plates). Weights start out at 2,750 pounds, in the lightweight division. These “gentle giants” are treated like professional athletes, trained daily, fed a vitamin rich diet, and prepared to compete in their “Olympics.”
Starting at noon, the usual delicious Lions fare will be there too. Tempting the taste buds, hot off the grill will be barbecued chicken, hot beef sandwiches (smoked all morning), hot dogs, hamburgers and salads. This food is so good that some people visit just to buy lunch! (Yes, the Lions will let you in free for this.)
There will be raffles for great cash prizes and awards for Teamsters too. Annabelle Smith will be in the office keeping score and providing helpful information. The Lions new Club President, Dave Emerson will be the Horsepull chairman. Other Oxford Lions will be in attendance taking tickets, tending the grill, and helping to produce an enjoyable and successful production.
There’s plenty of free parking, raffles, food and fun for the entire family. Admission is $5. per person. For horsepull info contact Lion: Howard Smith-- absmith@frontiernet.net . For Lions info contact: David Emerson, president 843-8722 . Visit the Lions website at www.oxfordlions.org or email: Info@OxfordLions.org . Please, no pets, outside food or beverages allowed.
Correspondent
OXFORD – Highly trained, muscular athletes are coming to Oxford to compete in a magnificent display of strength. It’s not the Olympics, it’s the 39th Annual Lion’s Horsepull sponsored by the Oxford Lions Club. In Boname Park on East River Road Sunday, teams of massive draft horses, mostly Belgians, specially bred for their strength and agility, will be competing in one of two different weight classes. Pulls start at 1 p.m.
The Oxford Lions Club’s Horsepull has been having their annual event, since 1967. An Oxford tradition, and now an online I Love NY tourism event, it always attracts droves of excited fans to root for their favorites. Since the start, Oxford Lion Howard Smith has been the emcee as well as a participant, and this year will be no exception. (Last year he won 2nd place in the heavyweight division with horses Bruce and Jay who went 21’7”, pulling 4,000 lbs.!) Smith brings his expertise and knowledge to ensure a smooth running and exciting pull.
For those who are new to the sport, here’s some background information. Horsepulling is a sport that started about a hundred years ago by competitive farmers who wanted to see who had the strongest work horses. The goal is for a team of two horses to make a 27 1/2 foot “qualifying pull”-- (once determined a safe distance) – with certain weights on the “horse pulling machine” (a truck on skid plates). Weights start out at 2,750 pounds, in the lightweight division. These “gentle giants” are treated like professional athletes, trained daily, fed a vitamin rich diet, and prepared to compete in their “Olympics.”
Starting at noon, the usual delicious Lions fare will be there too. Tempting the taste buds, hot off the grill will be barbecued chicken, hot beef sandwiches (smoked all morning), hot dogs, hamburgers and salads. This food is so good that some people visit just to buy lunch! (Yes, the Lions will let you in free for this.)
There will be raffles for great cash prizes and awards for Teamsters too. Annabelle Smith will be in the office keeping score and providing helpful information. The Lions new Club President, Dave Emerson will be the Horsepull chairman. Other Oxford Lions will be in attendance taking tickets, tending the grill, and helping to produce an enjoyable and successful production.
There’s plenty of free parking, raffles, food and fun for the entire family. Admission is $5. per person. For horsepull info contact Lion: Howard Smith-- absmith@frontiernet.net . For Lions info contact: David Emerson, president 843-8722 . Visit the Lions website at www.oxfordlions.org or email: Info@OxfordLions.org . Please, no pets, outside food or beverages allowed.
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