Passing the Driving Test Nashoba’s Arena Driving Trial Clinic By Lauren Pigford The Nashoba Carriage Association is gearing up for its yearly Nashoba Carriage Classic held September 18 - 20 at the Germantown Charity Horse Show grounds. The yearly carriage show includes an Arena Driving Trial, Dressage, Pleasure Driving classes and the infamous Magnolia Marathon. Nashoba’s members have been actively driving all year long. There has been an abundance of adult driving clinics and junior driving camps held throughout the year. On August 22- 23 an Arena Diving Trial (ADT) clinic was held at the home of Ann and Carl Kimberlin, Kimberlin Farms, in Olive Branch, MS. Clinician, Joanna Wilburn of Rollingwoods Farm, instructed adult and junior drivers. The clinic focused on how to prepare for cone courses and hazard obstacles that competitors will be tested on during the ADT and multiple cone courses held throughout the show. Nashoba’s members enjoyed the perfect weather during the clinic. Even people who were not familiar with the driving association came out and witnessed what fun took place at Nashoba sponsored events. According to Anne Snowden, President of the Nashoba Carriage Association, there were several visitors and new members who joined the association. They proclaimed they “had no idea all of this was going on.” Joanna started Saturday morning with the junior drivers. She walked each course with the young drivers and then had the kids hitch up. The junior drivers practiced walking their ponies through all five courses and then picked up the speed and zoomed around hoping for the best time. The kids were laughing and smiling as they worked their way through the obstacle courses. Then adult drivers spilt into groups so each person would have enough time practicing the courses with Joanna. The adult drivers challenged the young, junior drivers on which group was having more fun. Sunday morning drivers had the same enthusiasm and excitement as the day before. More people came out and had fun driving on the Kimberlin’s beautiful farm. Volunteers helped time drivers so the drivers could practice their speed in the cones courses and hazards. Everyone took a short break at lunch to enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs and then hitched right back up for some more driving. Nashoba is planning another clinic Labor Day weekend, September 4 - 7, at the home of Bob Martin in Moscow, TN. The clinic will host clinician, Tom O’Carroll, who will focus on Dressage with the drivers. Dressage classes will be held on Friday during the show. It is obvious that the members of the Nashoba Carriage Association are ready for their yearly show. The ponies and horses are conditioned; they have practiced for the ADT; and are preparing to practice for Dressage. The only thing left to do is polish the harness and wipe down those carriages for the pleasure classes. Nashoba is hoping for the best show to date. For more information about the Nashoba Carriage Association and Classic please visit www.nashobacarriage.org.