August 02, 2025
Bureau County Republican
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Bureau County Republican

Heavy horse pulls will be Aug. 26

PRINCETON — The newest event at the 160th Bureau County Fair in Princeton is the heavy horse pull at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26. It is sanctioned by the Wisconsin Horse Puller’s Association. Tickets are $5 for adults, kids 12 and under are free.

There will be two classes of draft horses (3,300 pounds and heavyweights), pulling on a dynamometer (the apparatus that was made to measure horsepower). These gentle giants pull as a team and the team pulling the biggest load the furthest distance is declared the winner and so-forth down the line. Unlike a tractor pull where the load gets heavier as they pull, the dynamometer stays at a preset weight for a distance of 27 feet and 6 inches. That is a qualified load to go on a bigger load.

The dynamometer used is now owned and operated by Scott Skinkis of Brillion, Wis., and use to be the old Illinois machine for a lot of years. The dynamometer portion of this machine is built on a 1952 Flat-head Ford and is used just for the sport of horsepulling.

Although we never know how many teams will be pulling, we hope to have a good selection of teams entered. The draft horses are primarily of the Belgian draft horse breed because of their muscular structure. There will be a few Percherons pulling too.

If you enjoy seeing draft horses at the fair, come back on Sunday for the draft horse show. Halter classes begin at 10 a.m. the six-horse hitch class will begin after the lunch break.

For complete ticket information for this year's fair, see the fair's website at www.bureaucountyfair.com. The 160th Bureau County Fair run Aug. 26-30 in Princeton.