Big horses pulling heavy loads used to be a way of life.  Feel free to be nostalgic at the Kiwanis Dakota Royal Charity Draft Horse Show this weekend in Brookings.

The Sioux Falls Kiwanis West Club along with their counterparts in Brookings are teaming together to host the exhibition Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29 at the Swiftel Center in Brookings.  Start time each day is at 1pm with admission to the event $10 for ages 13 and up with 12 and under free.

One of the organizers of the event, Brandon Kinney says these magnificent animals will put on quite a show.  “We are featuring ten six-horse hitches of Belgians, Percherons, Clydesdales and Shires.  The hitches are coming from as far as near the Canadian border in North Dakota and from Oklahoma.”  During the competition, the horses will be judged on how well these 2000 pound animals pull together, ability of the driver, cleanliness of the harness and how they stand at attention during inspection.

The breeds of horses that will be featured may be massive in size, but Kinney says their disposition is gentle.  “A lot of those draft horses are very easy-going with their genetics and the way they’re bred.”  Kinney has first-hand experience in training the two Percherons he owns.  “They just know what they’re supposed to do.  I spent maybe a week with them doing some small stuff and pretty soon I hooked them to the wagon and away they went.”

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