Saturday, August 21, 2010

Saturday scenes and scenery:
Oxen and drivers compete in sled pull at the fair

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One of the first competitions at the annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair is this obstacle course for pairs of beasts over 3200 pounds.

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Doesn't look so tough, does it? The sled is not weighted ...

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... but these huge working animals need to make some tight turns, all trying for a "clean run" -- no bumped cones at the fastest pace they can manage.

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The yoke holds the team together -- and the driver reinforces shouted directions with taps from his whip.

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Negotiating the course requires a kind of a dance.

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A winning team enjoys a victory lap without that pesky sled.

2 comments:

libhom said...

I love that farmer's tee shirt.

Ronni Bennett said...

Wow - you've inspired me to maybe get off my butt and get to the Oregon State Fair which begins in a week or so.

Terrific photos.