NL235
THE
NEWSLETTER OF THE AMERICAN DRIVING SOCIETY, INC.
Representing Carriage Driving in the United States and Canada
September 2016
IN THIS ISSUE:
NOTES
OPINIONS From Between My Blinders ................... 1-2
e are in the throes of the dog days of summer here in the Northeast. Although it’s hot, humid, and sticky, the days are getting shorter and that reminds me that fall is right around the corner. Soon, the school buses will be back on the roads and the mornings will become crisp... And we know that means fresh driving horses! We are already working on the November issue of The Whip, and I’m thrilled with some of the rich editorial we have planned. Make sure to contact me by September 12 to place your ad in this winter issue (abbie@ americandrivingsociety.org). I hope to meet many of you at the ADS Annual Meeting later this month. Join us September 22-25 (and bring your horses and ponies) for a wonderful week in Southern Pines, North Carolina. The full schedule is printed below. You can find more information and the registration forms online at www.americandrivingsociety.org
NOTES From the Editor ......................................... 1
NEWS The Results Are In! ................................... 2 ADS NEWS From The Office........................................ 3
Dog Days of Summer
W
Abbie
OPINIONS
From Between My Blinders
By Hardy Zantke
Coming up in the November 2016 issue The Horses and Horsemen of of Central Park. Photo by Abbie Trexler
{
{
Articles that appear in The Wheelhorse do not necessarily reflect the opinions or position of The American Driving Society, Inc. (ADS), its Board of Directors or staff, nor does publication of said articles constitute an endorsement of the view they may express. Accuracy of all material is the sole responsibility of the authors. Appearance of an advertisement in The Wheelhorse does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the ADS of the goods and services therein.
B
y the time you read this, those of you who follow the top of our sport hopefully have come to grips with the disappointment of our top single driver, Suzy Stafford, missing the E gate in the third obstacle on the marathon at the FEI Singles Driving World Championship at Piber, Austria - after her stellar start in dressage. I think Suzy is truly one of our top and best competitors, and what drove that point home to me once again was how she reacted afterwards. I write this after just having read her heartwarming blog to her supporters. No fuss, no lame excuses, no finger pointing. She just explains how it happened, and we all who have competed in Combined Driving know that. Stuff happens, it is very disappointing, but life goes on. And I think there is no competitor, neither at the lower ranks nor at the very top, who never had such a thing happen. Suzy takes full responsibility for it and even excuses her navigator. Suzy shows just the greatest sportsmanship. I believe it is often with the mistakes that one makes, how one deals with that, which shows character. But, Suzy has also shown her character already when she won her first gold medal some years ago at the Catton, England, Pony World Championship. When congratulated there after her win, instead of beaming with pride (which she could rightfully have done) she just shrugged it off and said, “So, world champion, huh? What does that mean? That I’m the best of the world? No, not to me. All it means is that at this one competition I was lucky enough to come out the winner.” 1