By early evening, on Friday, Aug. 21, the Delaware County Fair’s horse-pulling ring will be packed with spectators watching draft horses lean into their harnesses. Teamsters will give a command, the horses will dig in and the heavy load will begin to move across the dirt.
It’s one of the most anticipated traditions of the Delaware County Fair-and one that continues to honor one of the region’s most respected horsemen.
The fourth annual Tom Newman Memorial Horse Pull returns Friday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m., bringing some of the Northeast’s finest draft horse teams to Walton for an evening that celebrates power, precision and the enduring bond between horse and handler.
For horse enthusiasts, it’s a chance to watch elite Belgian and other draft horse teams compete in one of the sport’s most demanding events. For first-time visitors, it’s an authentic glimpse into an agricultural tradition that has been part of rural life for generations.
More Than a Competition
The event pays tribute to Tom Newman, whose passion for horse pulling helped revive the sport at the Delaware County Fair after years of absence.
A familiar face at fairs throughout New York and Pennsylvania, Newman was known for his dedication to draft horses and his commitment to preserving the tradition for future generations. After his death in December 2022, his daughters - Olivia, Elizabeth and Emily Newman - organized the memorial competition to continue the event he worked so hard to restore.
Today, the horse pull has become one of the fair’s signature attractions, drawing competitors, families and spectators from across the region.
A Test of Teamwork
Unlike speed events, horse pulling rewards controlled strength and flawless communication.
Teams compete in lightweight and heavyweight divisions, pulling a weighted sled that becomes progressively heavier after each successful round. The load is measured using a dynamometer to ensure consistency and fairness throughout the competition.
Success depends on far more than brute force. Teamsters must know exactly how to pace their horses, when to encourage them and how to keep them working together as a single unit.
The 2026 event, sanctioned by the New York State Horse Pullers Association, will award $3,960 in prize money, with the Newman family contributing another aproximate $4,000 for a total pursue of nealy $8,000.
Horse weigh-in is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. The lightweight competition begins at 6 p.m., followed by a brief intermission before the heavyweight teams enter the ring.
Admission is included with fair entry.
Growing number of competitors is what the Newman family hopes to see.
“My dad would have loved that there were so many pairs there,” Olivia Newman said after last year’s competition. “He would have been happy to see so many people together, so many families and so many friends, enjoying something that he loved.”
A Delaware County Tradition
For visitors exploring the Catskills, the Tom Newman Memorial Horse Pull offers something increasingly rare: a front-row seat to a living agricultural tradition.
The event showcases remarkable draft horses whose strength once powered American farms, but it also highlights the partnerships built over years of training and trust. Every pull reflects countless hours spent in the barn, on country roads and in practice rings long before the fair begins.
Whether you’re a lifelong horse lover, a photographer searching for unforgettable images or simply looking for an authentic Delaware County experience, the horse pull delivers one of the fair’s most memorable evenings.
When the sled finally starts to move and spectators erupt in applause, it’s easy to understand why this competition continues to captivate audiences - and why Tom Newman’s legacy remains firmly rooted in the arena he helped bring back to life.
