Iowa State Fair to Showcase American Cream Draft Horses

A heritage draft horse breed will be in the spotlight at the Iowa State Fair this summer.

This August, the Iowa State Fair will spotlight one of the state’s most unique and historic treasures: The American Cream draft horse, one of the only draft breeds developed in the United States, will be showcased during the fair’s American Cream Draft Horse Spotlight, 6 p.m., Aug. 16, in the Jacobsen Arena in Des Moines. The event marks the breed’s strong Iowa roots and represents a rare and living connection to the state’s agricultural heritage.

The event is organized by the American Cream Draft Horse Association.

Maggie Lupkes with Betsy and Goldie, American Cream Draft horses

The American Cream originated in early 20th-century Iowa and traces back to the foundation mare known as Old Granny. Bred for strength, disposition, and durability, these horses cultivated Iowa’s fields during a time when horsepower drove the state’s economy. However, the breed emerged at the height of agricultural mechanization, limiting its growth from the start. Today, The Livestock Conservancy lists the American Cream as critically endangered, with fewer than 400 remaining, underscoring the urgent need for continued recognition and preservation.

The spotlight event will offer fairgoers a chance to see these iconic horses up close. The event will highlight the breed’s history, versatility and role in historical agriculture, while celebrating the breeders and advocates working to ensure its future.

“The upcoming breed spotlight at the Iowa State Fair is a great opportunity to promote and highlight current breed conservation efforts and attract new individuals to become interested and

involved within the ACDHA,” explains Maggie Lupkes, one of the event organizers. “It is also an opportunity for Iowans to connect with a living piece of their history, as the American Cream originated from rural Iowa in the early 1900s.”

Efforts are ongoing in the Iowa State legislature to designate the American Cream Draft

In addition to the spotlight event, American Cream Draft Horses will also be featured in the fair’s Avenue of Breeds from Aug. 13 – 23, giving visitors multiple opportunities to engage with the breed and learn about ongoing conservation efforts.

To learn about the breed, visit The Livestock Conservancy’s American Cream draft horse breed profile. For more information about the Iowa State Fair event, visit the American Cream Draft Horse Association’s website. www.acdha.org

The post Iowa State Fair to Showcase American Cream Draft Horses appeared first on The Livestock Conservancy.