Horse Progress Days draws crowds for two days of horse-powered farming and rural living
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ARCOLA — Nearly 15,000 visitors from across the United States and several foreign countries gathered July 3-4 at the Lavern Yoder farm near Arcola for the 32nd annual Illinois Horse Progress Days, making this year’s event one of the best attended in recent years. Organizers also noted a significant increase in the number of young families and children attending, a promising sign that interest in horse-powered farming and rural traditions continues to grow with the next generation.
The two-day event transformed the working farm into one of the nation’s largest showcases of draft horses, horse-drawn farm equipment, educational seminars and homesteading demonstrations.
In welcoming guests, General Coordinator Virgil Yoder thanked the Lavern Yoder family for opening their farm to host the event while encouraging visitors to respect the property and help preserve the venue for future generations.
Throughout both days, the fields came alive beginning at 9 a.m. with horse-powered field demonstrations featuring manure spreaders, followed by plowing and tillage equipment. Haying demonstrations during the afternoon highlighted how modern farmers continue to utilize draft horses in agricultural production.
The Main Arena hosted activities throughout the day, including official welcomes, children’s Pony Express rides, storytelling sessions and international guest recognition. The increased number of children could be seen throughout the grounds as families gathered to watch demonstrations, interact with horses and participate in activities designed to introduce youngsters to agriculture and rural living.
Educational opportunities remained a cornerstone of Horse Progress Days. General seminars covered topics including farm succession planning, building healthy soil, raising rabbits and therapeutic riding. Round pen demonstrations featured colt starting, horse shoeing, blacksmithing, conformation evaluation and sidepass and speed control training.
The homesteading area attracted steady crowds with presentations on multi-species grazing, sheep herding, chicken processing, milking demonstrations, pasture equipment, polyface farming and discussions with local farmers. The homemaker area offered practical sessions on sourdough and fermented foods, cut flower bouquets, A2A2 milk, home butchering and specialty meats, healthy lifestyles and choosing joy in motherhood.
A highlight each evening was the popular “Breed Presentation” exhibition in the Main Arena, where approximately 20 breeds of horses were showcased. Visitors learned about everything from powerful Percherons, Belgians and Clydesdales to Haflingers, Friesians, Gypsy Vanners, Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walkers and miniature horses. The Friday evening presentation began at 5 p.m., while Saturday’s exhibition started at 4 p.m.
More than educational demonstrations filled the grounds. Hundreds of exhibitors displayed horse-drawn equipment, agricultural products, livestock supplies, handcrafted goods and rural lifestyle products while food vendors and sponsor displays lined the show grounds.
The event was made possible through the support of numerous businesses and organizations. Wilson Pallet and First Neighbor Bank served as Platinum Extreme sponsors, while dozens of additional companies supported the event at Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship levels. Individual horse breed presentations were also sponsored by businesses and organizations dedicated to preserving draft horse traditions. This years show set an all-time record for sponsorships breaking the previous record held by Pennsylvania.
Horse Progress Days continues to serve as one of the Midwest’s premier events promoting horse-powered farming, offering visitors an opportunity to witness traditional agriculture in action while learning how draft horses remain an important part of sustainable farming practices today.
It was announced the 2027 event will take place in Mt. Hope, Ohio, July 1-2.
With thousands in attendance and a noticeably larger number of children and young families filling the grounds, this year’s Horse Progress Days demonstrated that while it celebrates the past, the future of horse-powered agriculture and rural heritage remains bright.
Organizers closed the event by thanking the many volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors and visitors whose support continues to preserve and promote the traditions, craftsmanship and community spirit that define Horse Progress Days.