Page 14
Returning for a second appearance at
the Sumpter Country Fest this year is the
Horse Pulling event which debuted at
the festival last year.
The event proved so popular last year,
organizers said, that the Michigan Mini
Horse Pulling Association was invited to
return and seemed to exemplify the
"We're Still Country" theme this year. The
Horse Pulling competitions will begin at
1:30 p.m. Saturday this year and feature
mini-horses who compete in pulling
weights for distances towin thematch.
The horses, which are divided into
two classifications, 34-inch or 38-inch
minis, work in teams during the event.
The teams pull a sled or stone boat a
total distance of 9 feet. Boundaries on
each side of the lane keep the pull within
a 12-feet boundary and the team cannot
step over the boundary rope or is consid-
ered an attempt at the pull. Each team is
allowed three attempts on each of three
trials for each load.
If the team does not pull the sled the
full 9-feet, it is disqualified and eliminat-
ed from competition. The team of horses
that pulls the most weight the farthest
distance is the class winner in this elimi-
nation competition.
The Michigan Mini Horse Pulling
Association began in 2014 and is a sport
in which generations of family members
participate.
The Mini Horses have been pulling in
Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas
for approximately 10 years. In the past
five years, Mini Horse pulling has
became popular inOhio, Illinois, Indiana
andMichigan.
One of the biggest attractions at the Sumpter Country
Fest will once againbe theCar Showset for Sunday, May 28.
The cars will be on display at Sumpter Township Hall,
23480 Sumpter Road in Belleville and judges will be taking
a look to find thewinners in several classes from9 a.m. until
2:30 p.m. Registration is $5 per vehicle and will take place
the day of the show from9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and therewill be
dashplaques for the first 25 entries received.
People's Choice awards will be presented along with
awards in eight categories including: Muscle Car; Antique
Car; Classic Car; Street Rod; Street Machine; Sports Car;
Truck andMotorcycle.
For more information or a registration form, contact
Margaret Rochon, (734) 699-5275.
Showing off
Car Show will offer multiple awards
Mini Horse pull returns to festival this year
Baby face
The annual baby contest
will begin in the pavilion
when the festival opens
Friday, May 26 and will
continue through 1:30
p.m. Monday, May 29.
The winner will be
announced at 5 p.m. that
day. Sponsored again
this year by John
Hennessey
of
Hennessey Engineers,
Inc. in Southgate, the contest photos will be on display
in the pavilion during the festival so visitors can support
their favorite baby with a donation or just enjoy viewing
the entries this year.
