Prance and Pleasure Driving Classes

We entered our first driving classes this weekend. We finished the cross country cart just before the event, so we had the team driving, and two standardbreds harnessed in carts. What a blast. There were mini's in their own classes, then ponies, and then the 14'3 and over class. There were six horses in most of our classes which was great, a little competition. This was the first time our horses had to compete against so many carts in the ring, but we all were well prepared. All the clinics and driving times we have arranged in the last few years really came together for all the competitors so we had a wonderful safe driving event.

The new cart is working out well. At first the air shocks were set too hard and the ride was a real jaw rattler, but with them adjusted down a little it worked really well over the weekend. We tried our hand at pleasure driving, command class, reinsmanship and then pole bending and barrels. I really shouldn't have taken Artist in the pole bending and barrels, too much turning for a "green to pleasure driving" horse, but I think in the end it was okay, as he was able to get out there and blast and that seemed to calm him down.

One funny thing was that he was a little agitated by the applause. I had to laugh, as this is a horse that has raced on many of the top standardbred tracks on the west coast, and here he couldn't quite understand the applause. I guess when the crowd roars in the race tracks the horses are going so fast they just run right through all that noise, of course, many of them have ear plugs as well. He wasn't very good at standing, but we will work on that. Next event for the team and Artist is the combined driving event at 70 mile on July 9th. Hope we are ready for that.

Combined driving clinic

We had a clinic with Elisa Marocchi two weekends ago and really enoyed it.
What I learned: (not in any particular order)
1. Plan your cones course from outside line to outside line. Sometimes it is better and faster to go the long way.
2. There are always many different ways to plot your path in a Hazard. The shortest isn't always the fastest. When you change directions it is like adding in five or six extra strides.
3. Half halts should be timed to co-ordinate with the picking up the the inside hind leg. (I am still working on when to squeeze and when to release on the half halt)
4. check your harness carefully for safety. Even if you think the blinkers are not rubbing on your horse's eyes, they may be. Have someone else look at them to see what is happening.
5. The breeching strap (the brake) should be wide - usually much wider than comes with most harness.
6. Be careful in your selection of bits. A loose cheek liverpool can really pinch a horse's lips, and a straight bar is more severe than you might think because there is no tongue release.
7. Try to use release rather than pull in steering your horse. Release the outside line to turn. (Half halt, release, half halt release)
8. A 40 metre circle has four points on the rail or at centre. Drive to each point to make a proper circle.
9. You have to have a nose band on a bridle - or caveson.
10. Wear gloves and carry your whip so that you can get used to the feel of it. The whip should be carried at a 45 degree angle across your body and should be long enough to be able to touch the shoulder of your horse.
11. Presentation dress should be conservative and coordinated. Women's hats should not be floppy. A small brim is appropriate.
12. Under your apron you can wear dark pans and black boots, or a skirt, if you are a woman.
13. I'll add to this as I check my notes.