The Heavy Horse competitions at the annual North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo held last weekend kept the grandstands in the rodeo arena packed as teamsters paired their gentle giants off against the competition. The challenge was to see who’s team could pull the most weight; and as each 300 lb. weight was added to the sled, the teams strained into the traces and the crowd cheered. The footing had been well-worked and was moist, which meant the pull was tougher than if it had been packed and hard. Each team pulled the added weight one at a time, and as the suspense rose for the crowd it also rose for the teamsters. The final pull to win the silver belt buckle was for 9600 lbs.; and Prince George teamster Calvin Buchta asked his horses to pull they did so famously – taking the win with them back to Prince George.