FARMINGTON – The Maine Draft Horse and Oxen Association held its annual pulling competition this weekend at the Farmington Fairgrounds.

Fans and participants enjoyed a long weekend of competition that featured horses and cattle from all over New England. Livestock of all sizes worked to drag a 1,000-pound sled topped with several 500-pound weights back and forth across a 110-foot course. The time limit for each team of large cattle and horses was five minutes, while the smaller cattle were given three minutes.

Association member Chick House of Nobleboro, who assisted in the events, explained that trainers use sticks to discipline the animals, and not harm them.

“They also use a series of commands to guide them,” House said.

Peter Glidden of Glidden Farms in Parkman brought his two horses, Jim and Bill, to the event. Glidden said he hopes his horses, with a combined weight of about 4,400 pounds, will start the season right.

Friday evening saw the qualifying rounds of an upcoming pulling event in Nova Scotia, while the rest of the weekend was a test for horses and cattle of every class.

Food and refreshments were provided by the Farmington Fire Department.

“This is just the beginning, we have a lot of fairs and events coming up,” House said.

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