ETHEL — The temperature dipped to the low teens this weekend, but Larry Livingston wasn't wearing a coat or a hat as he walked behind a steel plow and two giant Belgian draft horses.
"I was wearing a coat," he said Saturday morning. "I had to take it off."
Keeping control of Duke and Dick kept Livingston warm, but many of the horse enthusiasts attending the sixth annual Happ's Horse Power Days bundled up as they observed the rare sight of trained horses pulling plows, logs and dodging obstacles.
Livingston, 75, Olympia, was already past retirement age in 2000 when he decided to learn how to plow with horses. He uses that knowledge now to help prepare ground for a corn maze near Tumwater and for an organic farm outside of Yelm.
On Saturday morning, a younger generation of horse plowers watched Livingston's ability to control the two horses by looping the reins around his neck and shoulder.
Pointing to Livingston, Larry Chafin of Sweet Home, Ore. said with admiration, "He works real slow and easy."
Chafin and Duane McLaughlin, 36, of Corbet, Ore., were learning the ropes of horse plowing by teaming up on a pair of Percheron draft horses, Tilly and Judy. One man held the reins while the other steadied the plow.
"Easy girl," Chafin said. "Step up."
The horses, wearing elaborate leather and metal harnesses around their bodies and blinders on the outside of their eyes, moved forward.
Draft horses are trained to change directions on verbal commands. "Gee" means move right, and "Ha" sends them left.
Chafin and McLaughlin were bundled up against the weather, but they said the freezing temperatures didn't affect the horses. .
"They love the cold weather," McLaughlin said from underneath a white cowboy hat.
The temperatures, which dipped down to 12 degrees, only created about an inch of frost in the rich, dark earth — not enough to cause any problems for the horses, according to judge Mike McIntosh of Redmond, Ore.
He walked back and forth along the competition ground, where the drivers and teams had a narrow grassy strip to show off their abilities. Entries were judged according to straightness and the "crown" of earth turned over by the plow.
Categories ranged from best "sulky" plow (with wheels and a rider) to the lighthearted "best looking" plow man and plow woman.
A few mules could be found among the giant draft horses.
Suzanne Burkhart of Beaverton, Ore., walked behind the pointy-eared mules, and said she's glad to be able to learn from more experienced drivers. At 20 years old, Burkhart is part of a younger generation learning the old ways.
"It's a good piece of history to get involved in," said Burkart, who works at the Beaverton outlet of the Centralia-based Centerville Western Stores chain.
Ken Olsen and Maureen Harkcom, who own the farm that has become most famous for its horse plowing, keep busy throughout the year offering a variety of events. They have nearly finished a giant barn that can keep riders dry during the winter.
Through their company, Happ's, Inc., they started the horse plowing event in 2001, and gradually expanded it to include other tests of equine strength and training, including an obstacle course and log pull.
They have other events throughout the year. Last September they hosted the championship of the American Polocross Association, which attracted competitors from as far away as New York and Australia.
They also offer several events for miniature horses, or VSEs: Very Small Equines.
Harkcom is convinced that the tiny horses, which at three feet tall only come up to an adult's thigh, are tougher than most people give them credit for.
In August she hired a veterinarian to take their pulse, temperature, and other vital signs before the little horses were sent on an 11-kilometer marathon. Another check of their vital signs showed that the event didn't cause distress for a single one of the 20 miniature horses.
This year Happ's is sponsoring two events for miniature horses: a "Micro-Marathon" on Aug. 27 and 28, and a schooling event Sept. 24 and 25.
It's the plowing, however, that has attracted the most attention for Happ's.
Members of a Cowlitz County-based Model A club drove their shiny antique automobiles to the horse-plowing event and parked them in a row in a parking lot full of pickup trucks and long horse trailers.
Joy Conley of Centralia read about the event in the paper and knew she had to come.
"I just love these great big horses and I wish Americans in general did more to support them," she said, and then turned to watch a bit more history come to life.
Contest results for Happ's Horse Power Days 2006
Best Looking Female Teamster: Carol Courtney, Amboy, Wash.
Best Looking Male Teamster: James Arsulich, Quilcene, Wash.
Youngest Plow Animal: Jill, 4-year-old Percheron mare owned by Duane McLaughlin, Corbett, Ore.
Oldest Plow Animal: Jerry, 22-year-old Percheron gelding owned by Clarence Stancil, Tenino, driven by Patrick Alberts, Olympia
Longest Hauled Animal: Oscar, Pretty, Bart and Bonnie, mules of Neal McCool, Amity, Ore.
Best Draft Horse Hitch: Belgians Ernie, Belle and Holly owned by Marcia Anderson and Wayne Buckner of Fall City, Ore. and Geoff Van der Peyl, Woodinville, Wash.
Best Other Hitch: Oscar and Pretty, mules driven by Suzanne Burkhart, Beaverton, Ore. and owned by Neal McCool
Best Walking Plow: Patrick Alberts
Best Sulky-Gang Plow: Gene Courtney, LaCenter, Wash., driving Percheron gelding Bogu owned by Will Wisti and his own Belgian gelding Tom
Best Crown: Duane Van Dyke, Gaston, Ore., driving Shire mare Ellie and gelding Tucker
Best In and Out: Suzanne Burkhartt
Best Finish: Jerry Lee, Boring, Ore., driving 9-year-old Belgian geldings Pat and Rusty
Best Junior Plowman: Kristin Shilley driving hitch of Anderson/Buckner & Van der Peyl
Best Lady Plowman: Suzanne Burkhartt
Best Open Plowman: Gene Courtney
Best Senior Plowman: Larry Livingston, Olympia, driving Belgian geldings Dick and Duke
Supreme Plowman: Gene Courtney
Log Skid Champion Junior: Marisa Apland, Quilcene, Wash., driving Belgians of Anderson/Buckner/Van der Peyl
Log Skid Champion Adult: Neal McCool
Obstacle Course Champion Junior: 10-year-old Jacob McIntosh, Redmond, Ore., driving 4- and 6-year-old Percheron mares of Duane McLaughlin
Obstacle Course Champion Adult: Duane McLaughlin driving 18-year-old Percheron mare and gelding
