Quality Draft and Draft-Cross Horses for Driving and Riding
2010 Results
Following are results for 2010 events.
Teddy Bear Picnic 2010
Each year, Brandywine Valley Driving Club holds the Teddy Bear Picnic, an introductory Horse Trial or CDE (Combined Driving Event). This year the event was at our favorite Fair Hill park in Maryland. We decided the event would be a great first CDE for our friend Paul to compete with trusty mare Isabelle.
A CDE consists of three phases, like a ridden event. The first is dressage, where a memorized 'test' must be driven at various gaits in front of the watchful eye of judges who note every misstep.
The second phase is a cones obstacle course, where speed and accuracy are tested by trotting through a series of cones spaced a set distance wider than your carriage's wheels.
The third phase is the marathon, where the formal carriage is traded for a rugged marathon vehicle and safety gear. During a cross country trip of about 3 miles to test the horse's endurance and fitness, a number of 'hazards' or complicated obstacles must be driven at speed. Tanya was navigator for this phase, riding the back of the carriage and trying to keep Paul on course!
Isabelle and Paul made a good team, winning an overall 3rd of 5 in their division behind two more-experienced drivers. They had the second best dressage score (on their first real dressage test), and also won Best Training-Level Marathon. We hope this is only the start of a great CDE career for the team!
Scott also participated in the day as navigator for our friend Pam, who--coached a bit by Tanya--drove her naughty pony Spider to first place in their division! Congratulations!
Mason-Dixon Fair 2010
We decided to do 'something different' and compete in hitch horse classes at the Mason-Dixon Fair in Delta, Pennsylvania, as it's very near our farm. We took the lovely Isabelle and our Vicks-Robert show cart.
Tanya first showed Isabelle in-hand, taking second place to a Belgian. She then suited up with proper dressage attire for the Under Saddle class, including black top hat and tall boots. With Isabelle properly collected and bending, she easily took the blue ribbon.
Our friend, Paul, drove Isabelle in the Mens' Cart class, taking second place. The judge offered many compliments on Isabelle and our turnout, but explained that we weren't quite what they were looking for--which we understand completely!
Tanya finished out the day by driving Isabelle to 4th place in Ladies' Cart. Again, the judge was very complimentary on what a nice horse we have and how well we turned her out and drove her.
All told, we won about $70 in premiums, so we took ourselves out to dinner to celebrate and do our part for economic stimulus!
Susquehanna Valley W&W 2010
Tanya took Isabelle and Charlie to the two-day Susquehanna Valley Whips and Wheels show in central Pennsylvania to compete as a tandem pair.
On day 1, the Pleasure Driving Show, Tanya and the pair cleaned up the Draft Division, taking Grand Champion.
The 'Sporting Day of Traditional Driving' was much tougher, as the tandem was competing in the Horse Division. Obviously, manouvering through task obstacles with a tandem pair is a tad tougher than with a single!
We had many compliments from drivers impressed by the tandem, and the usual surprise from many people that the leader is a stallion just three years old.
BVDC 2010
Our stallion Charlie and mare Isabelle were taken to the Brandywine Valley Driving Club Carriage Driving Show, held this year at a new location in Fair Hill park in Maryland. Despite brutally hot and humid weather, we turned in some good results and had lots of fun visiting with friends.
This was the first time Tanya showed in her "Vicks-Robert" painted carriage, a Robert (ro-bare) cart substantially modified and painted and hand pinstriped by Vicksburg Buggy Shop (see our Friends page).
Tanya sponsored and competed in the Draft Division with Charlie and placed:
- Draft Working: Second Place
- Draft Reinsmanship: Second Place
- Draft Timed Obstacles:Third Place
- Carriage Dog: Third Place
- Draft Fault & Out Cones: n/p
Our friend and driving student, Paul, drove Isabelle as a single in our Meadowbrook cart quite successfully, scoring a blue ribbon in a class of fifteen in Working. The duo's success led Paul to receive the Novice Championship award for the show!
Paul and CWF Isabelle placed:
- Novice Working: First Place
- Novice Reinsmanship: Second Place
- Draft Timed Obstacles: n/p
- Novice Fault & Out Cones: Second Place
Isabelle and Paul also earned 10th place in the 2010 Whip Challenge, despite only showing in two of four shows involved.
Devon 2010
Our stallion Charlie and mare Isabelle were shown as a tandem (in-line instead of side by side) pair at the prestigious Devon Horse Show Carriage Pleasure Drive outside Philadelphia, on Sunday, May 30. We showed in both the Carriage Pleasure Drive (a four-mile 'marathon') and an Open Tandems class at night during the jumper show.
In the marathon, we took second place, beating out five entries. The result was particularly gratifying as four of them were in fancy painted carriages, while we were in a simple Meadowbrook cart which we had to use in place of our painted road cart. Perhaps the judge was so busy admiring Charlie and Isabelle that he didn't notice our vehicle...?
In the evening Tandems class, we took second place again, beating out a pair of magnificent Gelderlanders driven by a professional driver.
My Lady's Manor Spring Show 2010
This show was the first time we showed stallion Charlie and mare Isabelle as a tandem (in-line instead of side by side) pair.
In Multiples Turnout, we placed first. In Multiples Working, we placed second. In Multiples Reinsmanship, we placed first. In Your Route/My Route, Timed Obstacles, and Pace Marathon (all Multiples) we placed second in each.
We were graced with a beautiful day for the event and received many positive compliments on our new tandem. Our special thanks go to Susie Buchanan, who saved our day when she loaned us a girth to replace one we mistakenly left at home!
Delmarva Driving Club Spring Show 2010
This was the first full show for our young stallion, Charlie, who was shown as a single. Our friend and driving student Paul showed our mare Isabelle as a single as well. To make things interesting, we had been breeding Isabelle to Charlie all week prior to the show, and she was still in season. Nevertheless, both horses were well behaved, and we turned in good results.
Charlie:
- Draft Turnout - first place
- Draft Working - first place
- Ladies to Drive - second place
- Progressive Cones - fourth place
- My Route, Your Route - third place
- Draft Division - Reserve Champion
Isabelle:
- Novice Turnout - second place
- Novice Working - second place
- Gentlemen to Drive - first place
- Progressive Cones - fifth place
The show was held at the county 4H grounds in Denton, MD. This is our second year at this show and we'd like to compliment Delmarva Driving Club for putting on a great show at a wonderful facility.
Delmarva Continous Drive 2010
This schooling event on the eastern shore of Maryland was the first show for our young stallion, Charlie.
Charlie behaved himself exceptionally well and was certainly the most handsome stallion in attendance.
Pennsylvania Farm Show 2010
For the first time, the Farm Show, which focuses mainly on hitch-horse driving, included a "Draft Pleasure" show. We decided to take Isabelle to it. We were very pleased when our friend Paul drove Isabelle to first place in the Mens' Cart class.
Tanya drove Isabelle to fourth place in Ladies' Cart, and rode her to second place in the Adult Under Saddle class.
Tanya warming up Isabelle in "the tunnel" of the Farm Show complex...
