Pam Gamble
October and cooler weather brings the return of the Nashoba Carriage Classic to the Germantown Charity Area. The Classic is recognized by the American Driving Society, and is actually two shows in one. The Judge for the 2011 show(s) will be Mr. William Venditta, and the Technical Delegate is W. Craig Kellogg, both from the SouthernPines area, N.C. Clinician Bob Giles will be giving lessons at the Charity Arena the week prior to the show as a last minute tune up for drivers.
The first show, an Arena Driving Trial, will be on Friday the October 28. An ADT is simply a smaller version of a Combined Driving Event. A Combined Driving Event is the driving equivalent of three-day eventing. Dressage, cones, and hazards are all done on a scale which fit inside an arena. The Dressage Tests will be Friday morning; the cones, Friday afternoon, which are equivalent to the show jumping phase of a three day event. The finale is the Hazards, which Nashoba has named “Thrill on the Hill.” The Hazards will be Friday evening in the big bowl at the Charity Arena. Like the cross country portion of Eventing, this phase is fast and furious, and a favorite with spectators. Upper level competitors will gallop the course.
The second show is a Pleasure Show, where Saturday morning competitors will test their skills in a reinsmanship course. Reinsmanship is generally equivalent to a ridden equitation class. The American Driving Society rulebook defines that it is “based on the ability of the driver to communicate with their horse or horses using the aids: the whip, the reins and the voice in an effective, sympathetic manner.”
The Pleasure show continues with one or more timed classes called “cones” classes. Pairs of cones will be set at 1.75 meters apart for singles and 2.0 meters apart for pairs/multiples. The driver must negotiate the cones in a pre-determined order with the fastest time to win the class. One exciting class is the “Pick Your Route” in which the driver decides which route to negotiate through all of the cones. Even though these classes are timed, the horses are not allowed to canter the courses.
Rail classes challenge the drivers to show their horses at the walk, slow trot, working and strong trot. The overall impression of the horse and carriage, called “the turnout” will be judged throughout the show and a special award is given for the best turnout.
The Pleasure show also has some light-hearted classes: carriage dog and carriage kid. These classes are judged on which entry is the cutest. This year, in honor of the spooky weekend, there will be a costume class on Saturday night before the awards banquet.
The show finishes on Sunday morning with an approximate 7-10 mile pleasure drive through woods adjacent to the show grounds. Half way through the drive there will be a stop at a neighbor’s house for refreshments.
Friday and Saturday night’s Entertainment will be provided by Nashville singer and songwriter Joni Bishop, and her folk art will be available to buy during the show. The Nashoba Carriage Association is also seeking other venders who would like to show their goods during the show.
Class sponsorships are still available and are a great way to support the equine community. The Nashoba Carriage Association is a fun group to join. If you would like to meet people and learn more about driving, come to the show and volunteer your time. There is never an admission fee for spectators. Those people wanting more information about the show, vendor opportunities, or volunteering should contact Bob Martin at 901-848-1574.
October and cooler weather brings the return of the Nashoba Carriage Classic to the Germantown Charity Area. The Classic is recognized by the American Driving Society, and is actually two shows in one. The Judge for the 2011 show(s) will be Mr. William Venditta, and the Technical Delegate is W. Craig Kellogg, both from the SouthernPines area, N.C. Clinician Bob Giles will be giving lessons at the Charity Arena the week prior to the show as a last minute tune up for drivers.
The first show, an Arena Driving Trial, will be on Friday the October 28. An ADT is simply a smaller version of a Combined Driving Event. A Combined Driving Event is the driving equivalent of three-day eventing. Dressage, cones, and hazards are all done on a scale which fit inside an arena. The Dressage Tests will be Friday morning; the cones, Friday afternoon, which are equivalent to the show jumping phase of a three day event. The finale is the Hazards, which Nashoba has named “Thrill on the Hill.” The Hazards will be Friday evening in the big bowl at the Charity Arena. Like the cross country portion of Eventing, this phase is fast and furious, and a favorite with spectators. Upper level competitors will gallop the course.
The second show is a Pleasure Show, where Saturday morning competitors will test their skills in a reinsmanship course. Reinsmanship is generally equivalent to a ridden equitation class. The American Driving Society rulebook defines that it is “based on the ability of the driver to communicate with their horse or horses using the aids: the whip, the reins and the voice in an effective, sympathetic manner.”
The Pleasure show continues with one or more timed classes called “cones” classes. Pairs of cones will be set at 1.75 meters apart for singles and 2.0 meters apart for pairs/multiples. The driver must negotiate the cones in a pre-determined order with the fastest time to win the class. One exciting class is the “Pick Your Route” in which the driver decides which route to negotiate through all of the cones. Even though these classes are timed, the horses are not allowed to canter the courses.
Rail classes challenge the drivers to show their horses at the walk, slow trot, working and strong trot. The overall impression of the horse and carriage, called “the turnout” will be judged throughout the show and a special award is given for the best turnout.
The Pleasure show also has some light-hearted classes: carriage dog and carriage kid. These classes are judged on which entry is the cutest. This year, in honor of the spooky weekend, there will be a costume class on Saturday night before the awards banquet.
The show finishes on Sunday morning with an approximate 7-10 mile pleasure drive through woods adjacent to the show grounds. Half way through the drive there will be a stop at a neighbor’s house for refreshments.
Friday and Saturday night’s Entertainment will be provided by Nashville singer and songwriter Joni Bishop, and her folk art will be available to buy during the show. The Nashoba Carriage Association is also seeking other venders who would like to show their goods during the show.
Class sponsorships are still available and are a great way to support the equine community. The Nashoba Carriage Association is a fun group to join. If you would like to meet people and learn more about driving, come to the show and volunteer your time. There is never an admission fee for spectators. Those people wanting more information about the show, vendor opportunities, or volunteering should contact Bob Martin at 901-848-1574.
