Horse Pulling Brings Candor Together for the Fourth

Candor closes Fourth of July celebrations with horse pull

Generations in Tioga County Celebrate Freedom with Hooves, Heart, and Heritage

Horse Pulling Brings Candor Together

In the quiet hills of Candor, New York, a rhythmic thud echoes through the countryside every July—a sound not of fireworks, but of horsepower in its truest form. It’s the unmistakable cadence of horse pulling, a beloved tradition marking nearly a decade of Fourth of July celebrations in this small Tioga County town.

“We just do it for the love of it,” says Nate Wooster, president of the New York State Horse Pullers Association (NYSHPA). That love is evident in every hoofbeat, every grunt of effort, and every cheer from the crowd that gathers for this unique competition.

Horse pulling may be unfamiliar to many, but for locals like Jay Kessler, it’s second nature. “It’s kind of special I guess you’d say, you know, something I got in my blood when I was just wee little and that’s what I grew up around, so that’s what I do,” he shares. A third-generation horse puller, Kessler embodies the deep-rooted connection between family and tradition.

And once you’re in, it seems, you’re in for life. “It’s kind of an addiction, you just get – that’s your life,” he admits. A sentiment echoed across competitors, where training isn’t a hobby—it’s a daily rhythm, a bond forged between human and horse that defies explanation.

Candor,NY Lightweight horse pull

“It’s kind of a bond between you and the horse that you just, you can’t really explain it,” Wooster adds. More than sport, more than spectacle—it’s therapy. “It’s just something about a horse that… some people go to therapy, I work horses,” he says with quiet pride.

For Pat Halstead, chair of the town’s Independence Day festivities, this event is now inseparable from the spirit of the season. “We made it a tradition here for the July Fourth and we’re gonna keep this event going, every – it’ll be the Sunday near the Fourth,” Halstead confirms, underscoring the town’s commitment to keeping the tradition alive.

For those unfamiliar, Kessler offers a simple invitation: “Just come and watch one sometime, just come and see the horses and enjoy the pull.” No ticket required—just a curious heart and a little time to witness something enduring and beautiful.

In an era where so much feels fast, digital, and disconnected, horse pulling in Candor is a powerful reminder of the value of tradition, sweat, and heart. It’s not just about the strength of the horses—it’s about the strength of a community that gathers, year after year, to celebrate its roots. Here’s hoping more people take up Jay Kessler’s invitation and discover what a few thuds in a quiet field can truly mean.

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