Conditions ‘fantastic’ for (2025) Lambton Plowing Match

Winthrop's Brian MacDonald, right, assists John Dekroom of Dublin, ON as he competes in the walking-plow class at the Lambton Plowing Match Aug. 30, 2025. (Tyler Kula/The Observer)

About three dozen competitors brought their tractors and horses to Plympton-Wyoming Saturday for the annual Lambton Plowing Match.

Sunny skies and slightly chilly late August temperatures greeted the field at Keith and Alma Hart’s London Line farm.

“Absolutely fantastic conditions,” said Patrick Sanders, who placed second Friday at the Canadian national championships in Ayton, southeast of Hanover in Grey County.

The long-time Alvinston competitor also was coaching family members and competing in Lambton’s event Saturday.

Alvinston’s Patrick Sanders, right, coaches his nephew, Cameron Vos, at the Lambton Plowing Match Saturday in Plympton-Wyoming. (Tyler Kula/The Observer)

The match is one of several on a circuit of qualifiers for the International Plowing Match, the provincial competition in which Sanders placed second in his class last year, advancing to nationals.

“Exactly what we love to plow,” Sanders said of Saturday’s conditions. “Nice clay ground, but lots of moisture in it.”

Repeating as second best in Canada, a title Sanders said he’s held a few times before, is “all right,” he said.

“It’s always a thrill to be one of the best in the nation, but I haven’t quite achieved that goal of being the best plowman in Canada.”

Watford’s Harper Shea competes in the Lambton Plowing Match in Plympton-Wyoming Saturday. (Tyler Kula/The Observer)

A handful of first- and second-year competitors took part in Saturday’s competition, signalling some could be gearing up for 2027, said Kathi McNeil, an event organizer with the Lambton Plowmen’s Association.

Queen of the Furrow, municipal class competitions and antique tractor displays also were part of the annual event, she said.

“It’s a great family day,” she said. “It certainly celebrates our roots.”

Lambton Plowing Match co-host Keith Hart is seen here with his 1955 Allis-Chalmers WD45 tractor. (Tyler Kula/The Observer)

Keith Hart, who also hosted the 2024 Lambton Plowing Match at the property, said he was pleased to see it back.

“It’s wonderful to see it,” he said Saturday, hours after competing in the walking plow category.

Don Lunn, left, and Kathi McNeil, are with the Lambton Plowmen’s Association. (Tyler Kula/The Observer)

Burford’s Jonathan Marcy competes at the Lambton Plowing Match in Plympton-Wyoming Aug. 30, 2025. (Tyler Kula/The Observer)

~Tyler Kula~ Sarnia Observer