The draft horse babies are coming to Meadville, Pa.

MEADVILLE, Pa. — The eighth annual Keystone Foal Sale and Futurity at the Crawford County Fairgrounds is set for Sept. 16-17.

International

While support of the sale has been strong from the local draft horse community, buyers and potential buyers have been attending from many surrounding states with support from Ohio, Indiana, New York, and Maryland. Several head from the sale have gone from western Canada to eastern Canada; from Manitoba to Meadville, to Ontario.

Weanlings

All of the animals offered for sale will be weanlings, having been born in the spring of 2011. Prices range from a low of approximately $500 to a high last year of $6,000 with an average of just over $1,100.

The breeds represented in the 2011 sale will be Belgian, Percheron, and Clydesdale.

Futurity competition

A part of this event is the futurity competition Sept. 16. All of the foals sold through the Keystone Sale are eligible to return to the event to compete in the futurity competition the year that they turn 2. They compete with one another in a confirmation class, driving class, and an obstacle course.

Cash prizes are awarded to the highest 10 placings as determined by three judges.

The prizes range from around $4,000 for first place to about $400 for 10th place. Monies for the prizes are accumulated from a $25 contribution for each foal purchased, made by the buyers, and contributions by the breeders of the foals and by the North American Equine Ranching Information Council.