About
These massive yet gentle animals are bred for heavy farm work. The draft horse helped shape our agriculture landscapes, and despite being largely replaced by tractors in the 20th century, their legacy continues to captivate horse lovers. A few drafts are still used for farm work today.
Many drafts today are bred for show and at the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition (ENSE). We have a great line-up of classes for our three breeds Belgians, Percherons, and Clydesdales. We start with Confirmation classes and continue with the hitches, Single, Tandem, Team, Unicorn Four, Six, and Eight classes.
We also have All Breed Classes for Ladies, Junior and Pee Wee cart, not to mention the Big All Breed Champion Team, and Champion Four Horse hitch.
About
These massive yet gentle animals are bred for heavy farm work. The draft horse helped shape our agriculture landscapes, and despite being largely replaced by tractors in the 20th century, their legacy continues to captivate horse lovers. A few drafts are still used for farm work today.
Many drafts today are bred for show and at the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition (ENSE). We have a great line-up of classes for our three breeds Belgians, Percherons, and Clydesdales. We start with Confirmation classes and continue with the hitches, Single, Tandem, Team, Unicorn Four, Six, and Eight classes.
We also have All Breed Classes for Ladies, Junior and Pee Wee cart, not to mention the Big All Breed Champion Team, and Champion Four Horse hitch.
Show Rules & Classes (pdf)
Entry Form (pdf)
Draft Horse Show Rules
To download the show rules (PDF), please view the Show Rules section above.
Insurance
The owners and handlers of horse(s) must supply proof of a least $2,000,000 (Two million) liability insurance for this event. No entry will be excepted unless proof of insurance is received with the entry form.
Entry Fees
Each horse will have an entry fee of $12.50 (includes HST). There is a limited number of box stalls that may be available upon request.
Exhibitor & Parking Passes
Two (2) free exhibitor passes will be issued per team, and a maximum of two (2) parking passes may be purchased for the designated exhibitors area.
Please note, this parking area is based on availability.
Vehicles on the Ground
No vehicles will be permitted on the grounds after 10am in the morning of the exhibition. Failure to remove the vehicle from the grounds to the designated parking area will result in such vehicles being towed at owners expense. There will be no exceptions to the rule, and due to insurance reasons, we need the support and cooperation of everyone in this matter.
Stalls
Stalls will be reserved until 10 am of opening day of the exhibition.
Signage
Exhibitors must display a sign stating the exhibitor’s name, address, and the breed of horse.
Purebred Entries
In the case of registered entries to be shown in the purebred class competition, registration papers must be presented upon request (entries under one (1) year of age are exempt). The show judge or draft horse committee has the right to demand proof of age.
Stabling
Stabling for horses shown in line classes only will not be provided unless space is available. Line class only exhibitors are permitted to leave immediately after the line classes are completed.
Multiple Horse Hitches
Hitches greater than a team must have a second capable person on the seat with the driver.
Driving Manners
Owners and drivers must always handle and drive in a safe and prudent manner with the safety of the public and other exhibitors in mind.
Dress Attire
Any person entering the ring to show during performance hours must be suitably dressed.
Drug Testing
As per the April 26th, 2005 meeting of the Board of Directors of the Exhibition Association of Nova Scotia, it is to be known that the Association has agreed to random drug testing for A and B exhibitions. Anyone using performance drugs identified in the testing program will be banned from entering fairs and exhibitions for a minimum of (13) months. The name of the offender will be circulated to all fairs and exhibitions. All horses will be subject to drug testing at the at the request of the Draft Horse Committee. If the animal tested positive, the exhibitor will be barred from the exhibition for three (3) consecutive years and will forfeit all prize money.
Barn Display
All draft horse exhibits, including curtains, bedding, and harness boxes must remain intact until 4:00pm on Sunday, the closing day of the Exhibition. No trucks or trailers at the doors until 4:00pm, and all bedding must be removed from the stalls and deposited in the manure pit.
Junior Exhibits
Pee Wee (5 years to 8 years), Junior (9 years to 11 years), Intermediate (12 years to 14 years), and Senior (15 years to 18 years) age categories are based on their age as of January 1st. These members are required to wear a high impact helmet in all classes.
Rope or Chain Stalls
For safety reasons, exhibitors are required to put a rope or chain up behind the horses when bridling or not present in the barn.
Measuring of Horses
Horses being measured in the best matched team must be shown together in the hitch class.
Access of Doorways & Walkways
All doorways and walkways must be kept clear at all times for the safety of the public and for the horses entering and exiting the barn.
Draft Horse Committee Rules
Any item not covered by the above mentioned rules will be ruled on by the draft horse committee.
Right to Refuse
The Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition (ENSE) reserves the right to refuse or prohibit entry of any individual, or exhibit, in any competition in any given year.
Liability Notice
The Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition (ENSE), its Committees, Officers, Employees, Agents shall not be liable for loss or damage to an Exhibitor to their Animals, Employees, Agent, or Helpers which have been occasioned by fire, accident, condition, or structure, or negligence, or other exhibitors, officials, or otherwise.