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Nashoba Carriage Association held their annual Nashoba Carriage Classic October 19-21, 2018 at the GCHS Arena in Germantown, Tennessee, this year with part of the proceeds benefitting War Horses for Heroes. One can always expect great hospitality, elegant fashion, friendly competition, and fun classes at the Carriage Classic. Nashoba folks were pleased with the turnout at this year’s show, especially junior drivers. “We had a wonderful show this year with so many beautiful turnouts. We braved some cooler weather and sloppy surfaces, but everyone looked fabulous and we had a wonderful weekend!”
Laura Lawson was a two-time Champion at the show: winning the Sidesaddle Concours d’ Elegance award with Galeah and the Drive and Ride championship with KT Barnabus. The driving Concours d’ Elegance champion was Nichole Horsley-Jansen of Florida with her lovely Fell pony Littletree Limited.
Nashoba hosted a Derby Party on Friday night, October 19, in conjunction with the third annual Driving Derby, with Ring Steward Ross Herrin preparing signature Carriage Mint Juleps. Friday night’s weather was certainly accommodating, as the rain held off until all show activities were finished, and then stopped on Saturday morning before the classes began. However, it did leave the rings rather sloppy for Saturday’s classes.
Allie Rudisill, driving Molly, was number one Junior driver at the Nashoba Carriage Derby. Natalie Hanisco with Tinker Toy was the winner of the VSE division. Single Pony winner was Wanda Chancellor with Rollingwoods Movin On Up (aka Uppity). Kate Bushman took the Single Horse top prize with her 5-year-old Jewel. And Laura Lawson and KT Barnabus cleaned up in the Draft Horse division.
Saturday morning began with the spit-shine elegance of the Pleasure Classes. Turnout winners were: Junior, Ashley Romeo from North Carolina with Farnley Silk Ribbon; Single Horse, Earl Burkett from Alabama with Easton; Single Pony, Nicole Jansen of Florida with Littletree Limited; Draft Horse, Laura Lawson with KT Barnabus.
The challenge of speed was added for Timed Obstacles, driven over a course of 14-18 obstacles. Allie Rudisill and Molly won the Junior division. Kate Bushman and Jewel won the Single Horse division. Speedball Joanna Wilburn won the Single Pony division with Rollingwoods Berry Last One. And, again, Laura Lawson won the Draft Horse division with KT Barnabus.
The Working division is a pleasure driving class in which entries are judged on the suitability of the horse to provide a pleasant drive. Junior driver Mary Francis Mangum took top honors with Lacecap. Rose Marie Lawson and Milo won the Single Horse division. Wanda Chancellor and Rollingwoods Movin On Up were Single Pony winners. And Laura Lawson took the Draft Horse division with KT Barnabus.
First after lunch on Saturday was a crowd favorite: the Carriage Dog class. Allie Rudisill and Molly were the favorites of the five entries in this class.
To complete Saturday afternoon’s driving classes were Reinsmanship and Gambler’s Choice. Reinsmanship is judged on the ability and skill of the driver. Gambler’s Choice is driven over a course of obstacles, each with a specific value, so drivers try to accumulate as many points as they can within the allowed time of 2½ minutes.
Reinsmanship Junior winners were Mary Francis Mangum and Lacecap, who also took the top Junior prize in Gamblers Choice. Reinsmanship Single Horse winners were Kate Bushman and Jewel. Wanda Chancellor swept the Reinsmanship Single Pony division with “Uppity.” Laura Lawson and KT Barnabus were the single competitors in the Draft Horse division of both Reinsmanship and Gambler’s Choice.
Ed Burkett and Easton won the Gambler’s Choice Single Horse division. Joanna Wilburn and Rollingwoods Berry Last One took the blue in the Gambler’s Choice Single Pony division. And Ann Moore driving Mia won the Gambler’s Choice VSE.
Saturday night’s Costume Class was replete with clever, creative costumes, such as portrayals of the Chick-Fil-A cows (Eat Mor Chikin); Game Day (complete with goal posts); Always a Groom but Once a Bride (well, maybe more than once) – Joanna Wilburn with dog Michael as groom; the fire brigade complete with “Dalmatian” pony; Dorothy, Toto, and the Cowardly Lion. It was a tough class to call, so Judge Ruth Graves had the audience decide their favorites, and placings, by applause for each entry. The one that took the cake, and the win, was Ann Moore’s dramatic transformation of her pony cart into a biplane, with pony Mia wearing a propeller, and Ann dressed in authentic costume as the Red Baron – the Barnstormer entry. Fireman Tanner Ince and Splash (as the Dalmatian Horse) placed second. Alex Clarke and Rollingwoods Back in Black were third. Bride Joanna Wilburn and Rollingwoods Berry Last One were fourth. Pam Gaston driving Suzy Q with her Eat Mor Chikin entry were fifth.
Completing Saturday night’s show were four Sidesaddle classes, with Laura Lawson and Galeah vying in each class with Kayla Benson and Elly Mae. The two proved to be an equal match with both riders taking two firsts and two seconds.
At Saturday night’s Exhibitors Party, War Horses For Heroes Director Pearson Allen told the folks about their upcoming Veteran’s Day Picnic fundraiser at Loflin Yard in downtown Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday November 10, 2018. Find more information at warhorsesforheroes.org.
Sunday was a beautiful sunny, but chilly day as the Drive and Ride began at 9 a.m., followed by the Magnolia Drive through the beautiful wooded trails in Germantown Woods and neighboring estates. The course emulates a relaxing Sunday country drive over small hills and easy terrain.
Find more information about the Nashoba Carriage Classic at http://nashobacarriage.org/ and on facebook at Nashoba Carriage Classic.
