driving affiliate news
Saratoga Driving Association Hosts Pleasure Driving, senior CliniCs submitteD by Carol Frank
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horse me n’ s Y a nkee Ped l ar
september 2011
photos lee johnson
I
t has been a hot, exhausting summer with lots of driving events. On July 9, we held a Pleasure Driving Clinic at Akers Acres with eight drivers looking to improve their skills under Jeff Morse’s instruction. The clinic was divided into solo instruction in the morning and then two Emily Upton van Driel with her Percheron. ring classes. Drivers got individual their thoughts in an exit interview with Lyn and guidance, and then the experiJeff to see what they thought their next steps ence of being in the ring together, might be. Beth Corteville spoke on volunteering learning how to show their turnand how important it is to have people helping outs to the maximum advantage. at competitions and other club events. Barb The idea was to get an assort- Jeff Morse instructs Sharon Newkirk and her Akers spoke about where to get information and ment of horses together in a clinic Standardbred at the Pleasure Driving Clinic. the importance of joining the American Driving setting as a good learning opportunity. At a show, an inexperienced horse may Horses have the right of way, then walkers, and Society and local driving clubs. It was a successful weekend, though the be overwhelmed by sudden exposure to other joggers, and groups must be less than four. The state park is very close to the Tappan Zee horses were less thrilled with all the work, the horses moving around him. Drivers may also not know what to do to avoid getting boxed bridge of the New York State Thruway and is heat, and the bugs. As a whole, they were an in, or how to handle the situation when things not hard to reach, but it’s crowded with metro- extremely cooperative bunch, and none of the politan people that are so amazed at seeing a new drivers went home with anything less than don’t go perfectly. Between farm equipment moving around and horse, they forget to get out of the way. Their a very positive experience with the friendlihorses acting up, it was a good time to acquain- dogs were leashed but went absolutely crazy at ness of the driving community and what a tance drivers and horses to new sounds and seeing a horse. It was humorous and worth the wonderful sport we get to do. Hats off to Lyn and Jeff and all the helpers for experiences, while teaching show etiquette. This $15 entry fee and $6 for parking. On July 16 and 17, Lyn Howard led the doing a superior job in promoting the sport. was also a chance to ask questions and learn how For more information on the Saratoga Driving Senior Clinic to introduce individuals over to prepare for the Pleasure Show ring. On July 16 Sallyann and Al Gerelli from the 55 years old to the world of driving. Six brave Association, visit www.saratogadriving.com. Mid Hudson Valley Driving Club invited us to souls got to enjoy driving a variety of horses join them at the Rockefeller Estate State Park with seasoned veterans next to them. Jeff Morse in Tarrytown, N.Y. Although there were only led the instruction and hosted the clinic at the Waldingfield Driving Trial two participants, it was a wonderful setting beautiful Green Meads Farm in Richmond, continued from page 105 and an interesting place to drive. There are over Mass. Although the temperature was in the 90s, 38 miles of trails in the park and many go out the breeze in the Berkshires and the beautiful In the Preliminary Pony division, and onto other driving trails, totaling 55 miles. views made it very pleasant. Mary Gray took first place with the The Senior Clinic was intended Dunns’ mare, Porsche. Nancy Slombo to expose people with little or no and Hunter brought home second and experience to what is needed to had a new navigator on the back step. pursue driving, and to give them a “It was the best fun I’ve had in years!” realistic view of the expenses assosaid Frake. ciated with the sport. Lyn hosted Ginny Halfpenny and Miss Muffin a lovely dinner at her home on took first place in the Intermediate Saturday night, and most of the division, which was small, due to two helpers, including Barbara Akers, unfortunate cancellations. Gina Handy, Rob Bailey, Beth Holly and Nat Pulsifer and all their Corteville, and Sue Mallery, were volunteers once again put together a on hand during the day and some wonderful event for drivers. The grounds were able to join in at the dinner. were well groomed, trails were trimmed Every year we learn from the and marked, and the lovely drive through event, and this model that Lyn Appleton Farm for the Marathon phase has promoted is constantly being made this event one that will live on in tweaked to see how it can be many memories. Sharon Newkirk, Joanne Frechette, and Sallyann Gerell improved. Participants got to share receive instruction from Jeff Morse.