State Fair hosting its first draft horse races on Sunday

One of the State Fair's newest attractions is a twist on one of the oldest.

Draft horses, the giant, nearly one-ton animals known for their solid strength — not speed — will participate in a draft horse barrel race on Sunday at Warner Coliseum.

The race is a first for the fair.

Wayne Goldsmith of Chatfield, who has raised and trained Belgian draft horses for 40 years, says his animals are usually pulling something.

"At the fair, that's what we do, is we pull wagons and a cart, in multiples of six, on down to a single horse and a cart. Its interesting and fun to do."

But on Sunday, some will race. That may be interesting, Goldsmith says, as some of the horses haven't ever worn a saddle before.

"That's pulling a cinch up around their belly, and you don't normally have that when you're driving a draft horse. You have a belly band, but you don't have no cinch. It will be interesting."

Goldsmith says State Fair competitors came up with the idea last winter, hoping to add a little novelty to what is otherwise a rather slow-moving event.

Draft horse competitions are about strength and spectacle, not speed. Goldsmith says they're hardly ever raced, though it is fun to watch

"You got a big old draft horse, who's trained not to lope while you drive them. Now you're going to ask them to try to lope. And not to shy away from barrels. It's going to be a hoot."