Overview:

Welcome to the 18th Annual Big Sky Draft Horse Expo 
This show is designed to support the draft horse industry and to create a fun, entertaining and educational event in Montana. The classes are arranged to offer the spectators a variety of activities each day and to make the show flow as smoothly as possible for the exhibitors.

The show features draft horse breeds and we welcome mules and light driving horses to enter the open classes.
This is the best draft horse show in Montana. We hope you will be able to attend as an exhibitor or as a spectator. 

In addition to the draft horse show, there are a number of things under the grandstand that you will find of interest.  The quilt show is a "must see" with everything from antique quilts or lap robes to beautiful quilts using current techniques.  Take a few minutes on either Saturday or Sunday to view these wonderful master pieces.

Big Sky Draft Horse AntiqueTractor Show

This year, the Pioneeer Power Assoication of Southwest Montana will have tractors on display at the Big Sky Draft Horse Expo. Smaller tractors will be under the grandstand with some of the larger ones being used in the during the show. You'll have ample opportunity to view the tractors and visit with some of the people who share a passion for the role tractors played in the history of our state.

Come early and enjoy activities at the Montana Academy of Living History September 11-13, 2013. www.academyoflivinghistory.com

Exhibitors:

Trade Fair - Vendors - Booths

Vendors continue to be an important part of Big Sky Draft Horse Expo.  They provide a Trade Show that adds to the education and fun of events such as this. 

We welcome vendors of a variety of products.  Obviously items identified with horses, mules, and the draft horse era are of special interest, but all are welcome.

History of the Big Sky Draft Horse Expo

Big Sky Draft Horse Expo began when the Powell County Museum & Arts Foundation organized Montana Frontier Days with a show in September, 1996. This event featured teams and four-up hitches of draft horses and mules in a parade and competition. A chili cook-off and cowboy poetry provided entertainment. A second show with the same activities was held in 1997.

Plans were made to again hold the event in 1998. However, originators did not feel there was enough support and canceled it. Pat Hansen of Avon and several volunteers felt canceling was not an option. They felt the event had merit and recognized that it takes time to establish events such as these. Thus the 1998 show went on after five weeks of frantic work by a dedicated group of volunteers led by Pat.

Big Sky Draft Horse Expo has continued to this time. Thanks to Pat Hansen, dedicated volunteers, exhibitors and many wonderful sponsors, the show has grown and continues to fulfill its mission of entertainment and education. It is now the only draft horse show in Montana. Expo 2006 was dedicated to Pat in honor of her retirement after ten years of leadership.