Horsing
by Harold D. Gingerich
Never let it be said that Topeka is a “one horse
town”, especially when there is a draft horse sale. Twice a year Topeka is
home to the largest draft horse sale in the nation.
Horse lovers from more than 35
states, and from around the world,
come to buy, sell, and simply look
at the giant Belgians, Clydesdales,
Haflingers and Percherons. It is
somewhat ironic that this nationally
acclaimed draft horse and carriage sale
actually had its start in Honeyville, of
pg 14 The Hometown Treasure · Mar.
pg 14 ·· The Hometown Treasure · Mar. ‘12 ‘12
all places, six miles to the northwest of
Topeka.
The year was 1976, and an Amish
farmer by the name of Ezra Yoder was
having a farm sale ½ mile south of
Honeyville. Junior Martin, co-owner
of the Topeka Livestock Auction, was
to be the auctioneer. According to
LaVern Yoder (Ezra’s son) a number of
others, including Si Herschberger, put
draft horses in the auction on consignment. The sale went so well that Junior
Martin approached Yoder about having
a horse sale on a regular basis. But
Yoder was reluctant because he didn’t
feel like he had enough space. LaVern