Draft Horse Show Celebrates 25 Years
Published: Friday, September 18, 2026
The LaPorte County Draft Horse Show celebrated 25 years last weekend at the fairgrounds in LaPorte with three days full of fierce competition.
"It's quite the accomplishment not only for myself but for the LaPorte County Draft Horse Assn.," said Chad Mrozinski, chairman of the club. "We've done a good job and have kept farms involved and coming back here year after year."
In the past 25 years, the show has grown from a county-level competition during fair week to one of the largest draft horse shows in the Midwest. Last weekend, the fairgrounds hosted teams from 10 different states and one Canadian province, with over 250 horses on the grounds from areas all the way from Kansas to Maine. Mrozinski said the key to their success has been the family atmosphere.
He compared it to the fair, likening the excitement in the air but contrasting the taught stress that can occur in preparation for competitions. He said the late summer slot and single focus on horses, along with family centered activities keeps the show in a feel of ease.
In celebration, attendees were invited to sign the 25th anniversary banner following the traditional family-style meal on Friday.
Mrozinski said there are several community and national supporters of the LaPorte County Draft Horse Show and expressed appreciation for their dedication.
The show includes competitions for several different classes including: fancy, farm, Haflinger and draft pony, and halter and showmanship for men, women and youth.
Friday morning, the ladies took to the ring for the classic series six horse hitch. Kate Welsh of LaPorte, driving for Topeka Livestock Auction, won second place. She drove using her favorite horse and lead mare, Sabrina.
"It felt good" to take second place among some tough competition, Welsh said.
"I absolutely love the horses and as much work as I put in at home, it's nice to see it all pay off," she said.
Having grown up around draft horses at the Topeka Livestock Auction, she said she just "kind of fell in love with" the competitions, and it was a natural next step to join in the youth cart contest over the past three years. Now she is competing against other women and learning more control.
She said the key was to know the horse well and to get good at timing, when to speed up and when to slow down.
When asked what she loved most about the draft horse show, Welsh circled back to the same conclusion as Mrozinski: the family atmosphere. She said the competition and time with family were highlights of the event.
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