Vermont teen averts disaster at draft horse show

Quick thinking by a Lincoln, VT teen helped avert almost certain tragedy during the draft horse driving show at Fryeburg Fair.             During the four-abreast draft hitch class in front of the main grandstand, the team of Percherons driven by Arthur Clough of South Woodstock, VT suddenly began galloping when the outside horse mis-stepped and was bumped by the wagon. Clough was able to turn the horses away from the judge’s table but they picked up speed as they headed down the infield.             Although Clough was doing his best to rein them in, they were out of control and plowed through a chain link fence much to the horror of competitors, officials and spectators.             Sitting on the other side awaiting their turn to return to the ring with their four Belgians were Bill Roleau and his son, Trent. The 19-year-old turned to his father and quickly asked, “You okay, dad?” After getting confirmation, Trent jumped off the wagon and ran toward the runway team that was headed back to the barn, a scenario that everyone knew had disaster written all over it. The Roleau family: Trent, Bonnie and Bill of Lincoln, VT.             Trent’s first attempt to grab the reins failed as the horses were moving quickly but the six-foot-six college basketball player regrouped. He got hold of the reins, dug in his heels and successfully turning the team to the right, eventually pulling them to a stop before any further damage could be done.             During that process, the inside horse swung out from the team when the evener broke, caught its harness under the wheel and was dragged for several feet while flailing to free itself.             The large crowd watched in stunned silence as the events unfolded in a matter of seconds. Officials later reviewed a video of the incident and were amazed that no one was injured. While it appeared that the horse caught under the wheel was being injured, it emerged unscathed.             Trent recalls he first became aware of the problem when he heard announcer Ken Wheeling yelling, “Shut the gate,” referring to the infield gate. After checking with his father who held the reins to their horses, he jumped off to help.             “I didn’t really think about it, I just acted,” the Vermont Technical College student recalled. “There was nothing going through my mind except getting that team stopped.”             News of the event that had happened mid-morning on Wednesday of the fair quickly spread through the grounds. Fair officials later reviewed a tape of the event and declared Trent Roleau a hero.             “I would say that Trent saved the day,” said President Roy Andrews. “His quick thinking and decisive actions prevented what could have been a terrible situation. Those horses had already shown that fences weren’t going to stop them.”             Andrews and other fair officials met personally with the Roleau family – Bill Bonnie and Trent - to thank them for their efforts and congratulate Trent for his courage.             “With more than 4,000 animals on the grounds during the week, we are well aware that accidents can happen,” Andrews said. “Safety is our number one concern and we do everything we can to ensure that. But large animals can sometimes be unpredictable.”             The Roleaus of Isham Brook Farm have showed at Fryeburg for the last decade. They were honored for having the Best Pair of Draft Horses on the grounds this year a first-time award here. They brought six horses for the weeklong show. At home, Bill has an auto-body shop, builds custom wagons and the family makes maple syrup.             “We really enjoy showing at Fryeburg,” Bill Roleau said. “This is great fair and they do a great job putting it on.”             Trent will graduate from his two-year program in Dairy Farm Management next year and will go on to a two-year program in Diversified Agriculture with an eye toward establishing his own farm. He led his team at Mt. Abraham High School to a state championship and he played for the VTC team.             “I’m just glad I was able to help,” he said.