Dothan plowing contest draws contenders from all over

Manually plowing might have never been as intense as it was for 6-year-old Jasper on Saturday. But for the appaloosa mule’s guide, Rose Hill resident Tip Campell, the practice was not as hard - or as ancient - as one might have thought.
The two worked beside Mike Fleming plowing two furrows on a field at Landmark Park during the second annual state Horse and Mule Plowing Contest. The winners of the riding and walking plow competitions are expected to represent Alabama in the national Plowing Contest in Ohio this fall.
Jasper and the team were well into plowing before any others took to the challenge. By the end of registration, at least 10 more plowers from as far as South Carolina and Florida had added their names to the list.
“We’re getting to do something most folks ain’t never done. Most folks never get from out in front of the dang TV and video thangs and here we are havin’ some fun and exercise with this,” Campell said as Jasper rested.
“With gas going up this just might be the future - it’s 10 miles to town but I ain’t above ridin’ our mules to town.”
Last year’s riding plow winner, Bill Campbell, was expected to compete in both riding and walking plow events on Saturday.
He said he plows about four acres of corn and peas regularly with his animals instead of using a tractor.
“It’s not less labor but it’s preserving my agricultural heritage, and it’s a great pleasure to do be able to do that,” he said.
Plowing judge assistant Barbara Williams said Saturday’s event was a time for fellowship for many plowers who chose not to compete.
“Yes there’s a prize and there’s sportsmanship but we have a lot of people who came here just to interact with other people who do the same thing as they do. And then for newcomers, it’s important that we don’t forget that this is where it all started,” she said.
“The world is turning too fast. We just need to get back to the basics and enjoy life like people used to.”