What the Nebraska State Fair Draft Horse Pull Is
The Draft Horse Pull is a weight-pulling contest for teams of draft horses at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. Each team hitches to a weighted sled and tries to drag it a set distance. The 2026 pull is Saturday, August 29 at 5:00 p.m. in the Thompson Foods Indoor Arena, during a State Fair that runs August 28 to September 7. It is an evening show on the equine schedule, alongside the Quarter Horse Registry Show that morning and the Rough Stock Rodeo at 7:00 p.m. in the outdoor arena.
The rules, fees and prize figures below come from the published State Fair entry sheet for a recent pull (2023). The 2026 entry book is on the State Fair website, so check it for any changes.
How the Pull Works
- There are lightweight and heavyweight divisions, and the pull is a split-over weight pull.
- The pull distance is 20 feet, with ropes 15 feet apart. Each team gets three trials to pull the distance, and pulls cannot be combined.
- Three times away counts as a trial, and sled movement also counts as a trial. A team may unhitch between trials.
- Only one driver is allowed. Someone may bring the team to the load, but the driver keeps the lines until the pull is done.
- No one may hitch in front of the driver, no heading of horses is allowed, and horses hooked to the sled may not be touched unless there is a breakdown. Horses may not be tied together.
- If only two pullers remain in the final round, they pull for first and second place and cannot pass.
- All teams go to the arena together, and show staff haul the eveners to and from the arena.
- Unruly teams will be asked to park. Horses may be randomly blood tested; a positive test disqualifies the team, and prize money and results are held until test results arrive.
- The judge's decision is final.
Who Can Enter
Teams of draft horses and their drivers. Entering means agreeing to the Nebraska State Fair General Information Rules, the Equine Information Rules and the IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics.
Timeline on Pull Day
In 2023 the day ran as follows; the 2026 schedule lists the pull at 5:00 p.m.
- Teams arrive at noon.
- Weigh-in is 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and entry fees are due at weigh-in.
- A driver meeting follows weigh-in.
- The pull begins in the evening.
- All out is noon the next day.
Fees, Prize Money and What You Get
| Item | Amount (2023 entry sheet) |
|---|---|
| Entry | $50 per team |
| Total prize money | $5,000, paid by percentage |
| Fuel certificate | $150 per trailer (per vehicle, not per team) |
| Horse stalls | $20 per horse per day; pulling horses stall free in the White Racehorse Barns |
| Tack stall | $10 per stall |
| Exhibitor gate | $5 per day or $25 exhibitor wristband (11-day pass) |
| Parking | $15 per equine show, per vehicle |
Hay, feed and bedding can be bought on site from Aurora Cooperative, or pre-ordered at 308-750-6653.
Where
Thompson Foods Indoor Arena at the Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island. Results are posted online only, on the State Fair equine exhibitors page, and are not given by phone.
Questions
Who do I call?
The State Fair office, 308-382-1620. For pull questions, the State Fair equine page lists Daniel Gray as the contact; the equine coordinator is Sarah Kucera.
What can I watch if I only want to attend?
The pull is a spectator show at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. Equine admission and parking are sold through the State Fair's equine ticket page.
Official Links
- 2026 Equine Schedule: pull date, time and arena
- Draft Horse Pull entry sheet: rules, fees and prize money
- Draft Horse Pull at the Nebraska State Fair: 2026 show time
- Equine exhibitors: entry books, rules and contacts
Nebraska County Fairs: The Essentials
Nebraska county fairs are run by local fair boards and agricultural societies, while Nebraska Extension runs the 4-H side. Nebraska 4-H points to nebraskafairs.org for a printable list of fair dates and locations.
Examples
Cherry County's 2024 book paid purple $5, blue $4, red $3 and white $2 on standard classes. Pawnee County's 2026 book paid $7, $5, $3 and $1 on typical breeding and market classes and requires YQCA before June 15. Saline County's open class is open to any Nebraska resident, with animal entries due June 13 in its 2025 book. Deadlines differ by county, so read your fair book early.
State fair
The Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island ran August 28 to September 7 in 2026 per Pawnee County's book. 4-H youth must enroll by June 15, static exhibits need a county purple ribbon, and livestock entries close August 10 at 8 p.m. Central.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Nebraska 4-H Horse Expo
The Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Show, the statewide 4-H horse competition, in Grand Island with check-in at Thompson Arena. The next dates posted are July 10 to 14, 2027.
- Hall County 4-H Fine Arts Night
Speech and talent contests for Hall County 4-H members, held March 24, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the College Park Auditorium; registration forms were due March 10.
Grand Island, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Hall County Official event details - Hall County 4-H Bicycle Road-E-O
Bicycle safety and skills event for ages 5-18 held May 27, 2026 at the Hall County Extension Office in Grand Island; pre-registration closed May 20.
Grand Island, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Hall County Official event details - Nebraska State Fair
Eleven-day state fair in Grand Island that always ends on Labor Day. It includes the 4-H and FFA exhibits, concerts at the BigIron Events Center and TD Landing, and horse and livestock events. The 2026 fair ran Aug. 28 to Sept. 7.
- Nebraska Affiliate Foundation Quarter Horse Registry Show
Quarter horse registry show opening the State Fair horse program, with classes starting at 8:00 a.m. in the indoor arena on Aug. 28 and 29, 2026.
Grand Island, NE | 308-382-1620 | Organizer: Nebraska State Fair Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.