Nashoba Carriage Association Wolf River Wildlife Drive
Story and Photos by Pam Gamble
The Nashoba Carriage Association held it’s first pleasure drive of the year Saturday February 19, and six different hitches showed up for this fun drive in the country. The Wolf River Wildlife Management Area in Moscow, Tennessee was a new area for the Nashoba group to use, but everyone approved of it. The weather in mid February was unseasonably warm, and after being cooped up all winter, smiles were the fashionable attire worn by every member. Ann Kimberlin spoke for the group when she said, “It was a lot of fun, food and people. Bob (Martin) pulled this together beautifully and he prescribed the weather to match.” At least one of the members got lost while getting there (this reporter), but eventually everybody arrived, better late than never, and the drive got under way.
The route was originally planned to be a loop of 10.7 miles, but because of the warm temperatures and unshed coats, most hitches were happy to do about six miles. The drive included a water crossing as the Wolf River lowlands had flooded a roadway. Bob Martin’s pair of Friesians, Clare and Tango, led the way bravely through the water, and all of the hitches followed. The route meandered through beautiful scenery that has become a favorite multi-use area accessible to hunters, hikers and naturalists alike. The members were lucky enough to see various wildlife including deer, turkey, red-tailed hawks, and a heron along the route.
Like most Nashoba functions, a delicious potluck lunch followed the drive. Part of the fun of the potluck is not knowing what the menu is going to be. The varied menu included tamales, quail, muffalettas, and chocolate cake. More than 17 members showed up with only six hitches; many members came to just socialize.
The Nashoba Carriage Association promotes the sport of carriage driving in the Mid-South. Pleasure drives are held all year long and several clinics are scheduled for spring. The Association has an annul event or ADT and pleasure show at the Germantown Charity Arena in October. Carriage classes have also been added to the Germantown Charity Horse Show and have become a crowd favorite. People who are interested in learning more about driving can become involved with the association even if they don’t have a horse and carriage. Many new members volunteer as they are learning, and the veteran members are always proud to show off their hitches. Interested parties should contact Bob Martin, President, or Brooke Ballinger, Vice-President via the website, nashobacarriage.org.
