Send your news for future columns to elisabeth.gilbride@equinejournal.com.
BY ELISABETH PROUTY-GILBRIDE
Driving news
CONA MEMBERS CONVENE Steve and Beth Podhajecki hosted a gathering of New England area Carriage Operators of North America (CONA) members at their home, Loon Meadow Farm, in Norfolk, CT, on Sunday, April 7. No one seemed to notice a chill in the air while riding to and from the local pub where all enjoyed a sumptuous lunch. Later on, at the farm, everyone enjoyed delicious desserts provided by Julie and Jack Kliever of New Deal Farm in Rhode Island and Judy Sabin of Carriage Trails, LLC in New Hampshire. Everyone received nice, insulated lunch bags with the CONA logo on them.
BRAGGING RIGHTS Congratulations to Zwaantje W and Jamie Cinq-Mars on a fabulous performance at the International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) Region 1 Championships in Northampton, MA, on April 25-28, 2013. The amazing duo was named Region 1 Champion in the Friesian Carriage 128 EQUINE
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Pleasure Driving Single and the Friesian Carriage Pleasure Driving Amateur to Drive (ATD). Additionally, they were Region 1 Reserve Champions in Friesian Country Pleasure Driving Open, Friesian Country Pleasure Driving ATD, and Friesian Carriage Driving Reinsmanship. To top off a wonderful show, they were named the Region 1 Champion High Point Driving Horse. Well done!
DRIVERS WITH HEART Drivers convened at the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton, MA, on April 20 for the inaugural Carriage Connection event, held to benefit the nonprofit organization, Winning Spirits, which helps disabled carriage drivers in the Northeast. The morning began with Andy Marcoux providing a demonstration and commentary on the required movements at each of the dressage levels, followed by a commentary given by Heidi Johnson, owner of D.D. Rapps, on the turnout requirements at each level. Afternoon activities
TAKING IT INSIDE Chapter One Farms in Pedricktown, NJ, successfully held an arena driving trial on April 6, 2013. Drivers vying for first place showed off their dressage skills and also navigated through cones and marathon obstacles. In the Training Single Pony division, Dwayne Pash finished in first place with a total score of 38.751, followed by Aaron Soldavan and Rita Michkalenko, respectively. Linda
Kalman went home the winner in Training Single Horse, earning a total score of 62.421. Tanya Macleand followed her in second place, and Susie Buchanan took third place. In Preliminary Single Pony, Amie Bauman won the division with a score of 57.013, followed by second place recipient Martha Duchnowski. Despite Cindy Vollers’ lack of competition in the Preliminary Pair Horse division, she put in a tremendous effort to win her first place status with a score of 79.252. And in Intermediate Pair Horse, Terry Tobias claimed top honors with a score of 91.176.
EARLY BIRD AUCTION The Lancaster County Carriage & Antique Auction returns this year with a Chuck Wagon Dinner and Early Bird Auction kicking off the event at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 27 in the village of Bird-in-Hand, and running until the start of the auction at 5:30 p.m. The fun will continue on Friday, June 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Highlights include the auction of fine carriages, one-of-a-kind antiques, a great selection of Miniature horses, high-quality crafts, and nursery plants. Proceeds will benefit the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company.
Jamie Cinq-Mars driving Zwaantje W at the International Friesian Show Horse Association Region 1 Championships.
PHOTOS: (LEFT) COURTESY OF LOON MEADOW FARM; (RIGHT) MELISSA FERRUCCI
Carriage Operators of New England members Judy Sabin, Beth Podhajecki, Jack Kliever, Barry Roberts, Steve Podhajecki, and Julie Kliever with Sarah and Babe in harness, Caesar in the boot, and Adele on the ground.
included a presentation led by Rick Fallon, comparing carriages used for the various driving disciplines, and multiple workshops—Very Small Equine (VSE) Rules for Combined Driving Events (CDEs) with Marc Johnson; Endurance Trail Driving with Lauren Reece; Pleasure Show Expectations with Andy Marcoux; and Marathon Driving and Timing with Mary Gray.
| June 2013
5/17/13 9:15:38 AM