Updating the National Drive Update

[MySparrow]

Just got off the phone with Dick Kearley. Little vortex of anticipation over the phone lines. In the other ND Update thread he asked if there have been any changes to our list of attendees, and the answer is, so far only one: my husband won't be able to join us, so I won't be able to bring Sparrow or a carriage. I'll be travelling with my client and her mini.

This means that my hands will be free to help where needed!

If anyone else has changed their plans, please let me know ASAP, so I can update the rolls.

I've emailed the ND organizers, hoping to get a list of vendors. I know several people who are shopping for specific items, and I hope to request that examples of those items are among the products that the vendors bring. Anybody else shopping for special things?

Can't wait to see or meet you!

Dale

[Ashemont]

No changes on our end - still Joe and me with Phoenix and Maggie. We will, however, most likely be hauling a 'for sale' carriage from Bob Cook - plenty of room in the new trailer :D Especially since we will NOT be bringing the dogs as originally planned ;)

My neighbor, Deborah, is coming with a 4-in-hand of Welsh ponies which she plans to just drive as 2 pairs. Her next door neighbor, another horsey friend, will be coming with her.

Sadly our driving club had to move their October min-CDE to the 14th. It was supposed to be the week before the Drive and I had hoped to take Maggie. As it stands we'll have to do all of our CDE schooling at the Drive because we plan to do Pine Tree the end of October :yes: :D

[hobbyhorse23]

Oh, good for you Ashemont! I can't wait to see Maggie compete.

I have purchased my plane tickets, sent in my entry, and made my plans so I am officially coming. I want an award for traveling the furthest to be there! :lol: Except for the Canadian entries I'm pretty sure western Washington is the furthest you can get.

I will be staying at a friend's house and borrowing her mini and equipment, which should be interesting as I will meet the horse for the first time a day or two before having sole charge of him and his truck and trailer for a week. :eek: I expect to have time to navigate for other rigs (at 97lbs. I hope to be in high demand!) and am also bringing a horsie friend from Maryland who I'm sure would be happy to act as ballast too. I have no idea where I will be stabled but will make plenty of time to hang out at the COTH area if ya'll will have me. I could sure use some hazard lessons from Sami!

Dale, I'm very disappointed that I won't get to meet Sparrow on my one and only trip out there so you'll have to bring pictures. Getting a list of the vendors is a great idea; I'm definitely there to shop! I'm looking for a straw hat in a small ladies' size, a nice presentation number holder (one of those with an oval cutout, good design, and NOT rubbery-looking), a good driving apron finally, and whatever else catches my eye. I plan to bring measurements for everything I can think of because I know if I don't, I'll see something fantastic and have no idea whether it will fit my horse or cart. :rolleyes: Now getting all this back to the airport in my friend's Miata will be the interesting part.

I'm hoping some of the cart vendors will have mini vehicles there for me to try out. One thing really lacking in the West is the ability to test-drive the different brands before buying! Same thing with harnesses, but by now I've managed to get ahold of and try out most of the brands so that's not so pressing.

Does anybody have the contact information for the CDE? I need to hurry up and volunteer to volunteer but I can't find a website anywhere!

Can't wait,
Leia

[Ashemont]

I have no idea where I will be stabled but will make plenty of time to hang out at the COTH area if ya'll will have me. I could sure use some hazard lessons from Sami!

Of course you can hang out with us! Last year we all went to dinner together every night. Lots of time for socializing :)

I, too, was planning to get some tips from Sami at the drive but she won't be there :( Last year she taught Phoenix to drive through water (he'd go through u/s but for some reason didn't think he should get his cart wet :uhoh:) The Orems will sure be missed!

[horseyfolks]

I am very sorry to say that we will not be at the Lexington CDE or the National Drive this year. We had planned all along to do the CDE as well as the Drive but to be completely honest, I just can't afford it. We have had a very busy year showing and traveling (We have trailered over 22,000 miles since March of this year) and the show budget is just about empty.

Florida has a bunch of shows and driving things going on all winter and we will be kept busy doing a lot of it. Sam is taking advantage of what is offered to get Brondo up and running. We did a show in Plant City week before last, Laurels last week, and from there it just goes on and on. Next weekend (Saturday) Sam has been asked to give a demonstration at the National Convention/meeting of the Certified Horsemanship Association at the Grand Cypress Equestrian Center in Orlando. The Florida Whips are doing a Driving Demo of the different types of driving available and asked Sam to do a hazards demo. They are putting up a hazard in the arena and she will show them how to get around and through it. The next day, Sunday, we will be at the Stride Dressage and Driving show in Ocala with Brondo.

The weekend after next we will be at the Florida Fall Fling show for the whole weekend.

Bronda has been doing very well so far. Sam showed him at the Pony Classic show at Connie Thoreson's last Saturday. There were four classes in each division, Pleasure, reinsmanship, cones, and a cross country with some small hazards. There were 17 or 18 ponies in the large pony class. Brondo got a third place in the pleasure class (not Sam's favorite for sure!), first place in the reinsmanship, first place in the cones, and a third or fourth (I don't know) in the cross country. They also got Reserve Champion. Her mother rode as her 'gator and the two of them had a ball.

mysparrow has agreed to take over organizing the group for the drive. The rooms are still available as they were last year. Just let her know your plans if you are interested in joining the group.

Once again, I apologize for letting y'all down and not attending. Trust me, we would much rather be at the drive with y'all then sitting in Florida thinking about it.......

Don

[MySparrow]

So now it's out -- Don and Sami and Rose won't be there. Sad news, but we'll still have fun.

Here's what I have so far, thanks to Don's careful detail management:

Hampton Inn.... 502-867-4888 12 rooms at $80/night.... 8 nonsmoking King double rooms and 4 nonsmoking double queen rooms. 3 rooms, 1 double and 2 Kings, check in Oct 4 and leave morning of 15th and 9 rooms, 3 double and 6 King, check in on Oct 10 and leave morning of 15th. Initial reservation through Mr Claibourne...

Fairfield Inn... 502-868-9955 10 rooms at $80/night... all double rooms. Check in Oct 10 Check out Oct 15. Initial reservation through Karen Shelton..

kearlydk (Dick, Mary, and Annie), 2 adults 1 junior, 1 marathon carriage and 4 Caspian horses.

RidesAHaffie (Karen), might be coming without carriage or pony? Update, please, Karen?

Ashemont (Pat and Joe), 2 adults, 2 carriages, 1 Warmblood horse and a pony.

Dale (MySparrow), also without horse, husband or carriage

Becky Potts (MySparrow's client) with 1 VSE -- Little River -- and 1 cart

Jetiki (Karen and Hubby), 2 adults, 2 juniors, 1 mini, 1 cart. NEEDS TRUCK OR RIDE FOR A MINI.

HackneyHorseDriver (Denise), 8 adults, 6 horses. Tentative.. Can you update me, Denise?

justlide (Pam and hubby), 2 adults, 1 horse, 1 cart.

Carriage Ponies (Janet) 2 adults

Other people....

hobbyhorse23 (Leia)

Cabz (first name?)

The total so far....

I think, as of this point, we are all at the Hampton.

[cabz]

My husband and I are coming. We have reserved a campsite for Fri. and Sat. nites. I think we should arrive sometime Friday. Sorry to hear the Orems will not be there, but will have to meet them next time. We will be leaving Thurs. morning, with stops in Dayton and I think Lima, Ohio. Gotta hit the electronic surplus stores. That was one of the bribes to get my husband to come, and after the summer we have had, we defintely need a holiday. I cannot spell!!!!!!!

Please add us to the list - Leo and Cynthia

24 days till we leave!!!!!!!!!!

[hobbyhorse23]

Sami and Don and AJ won't be there?!?! :eek: :cry: :no: Oh no!!

There went my main reason for attending the CDE as well as the National Drive.... :( I could have saved a lot of vacation time if I'd known they weren't attending.

Leia

[HackneyHorseDriver]

Hi sorry for the late reply.
Been so busy with clients showing I haven't been on the list in a long time. Sorry to say that our bunch from Michigan will also not be attending. I'm very bummed as this would have been our third year in a row. Several horses are out of the picture for various reasons and several clients have family issues that need to keep them at home. Along with our training barn being full so we will be working, but also thinking of the lovely Kentucky countryside and all the joyous carriage driving going on for two weeks.

I wish all those attending safe travel, happy times, and good memories.
Regards,
Denise

[Jetiki]

I thought I had updated earlier but I will not be able to attend the National Drive, I'd LOVE to but its just not in the budget. I am hoping to be able to go next year. But we will see.

Good Luck, have fun and Safe Journeys.




Karen

[Carriage Ponies]

Carriage Ponies (Janet) 2 adults

Ahhhhhh...........I cannot come anymore!

Under the circumstances of my crummy summer I cannot afford to take time off work ! Had too much time off this summer with my mum's illness.

I am very disappointed! , I was looking soooo looking forward to coming. Already been to the Horse Park a few years ago and loved it!

Oh well...I will have to live the experience vicariously through others that post on this forum.....:yes:

Carriage Ponies

[pricestory]

Although I'm coming as part of the CCC group, I am coming and bringing lots of friends. I think there will be about 10 from our club, some new, some returning. My gator is coming with a pony this time.
I will certainly miss the Orems but I'm sure we will run into each other again soon. Can't wait to see that new pony.

[MySparrow]

Sami and Don and AJ won't be there?!?! :eek: :cry: :no: Oh no!!

There went my main reason for attending the CDE as well as the National Drive.... :( I could have saved a lot of vacation time if I'd known they weren't attending.

Leia

Leia, I share your disappointment that we'll be missing the Orems, as well as some other people. But I anticipate having fun anyway! It was incredible driving, there's a passel of excellent clinicians, lots of driving fellowship. Please don't be too sad! Come and play with us!

So it looks like the COTH contingent will include:

kearlydk (Dick, Mary, and Annie), 2 adults 1 junior, 1 marathon carriage and 4 Caspian horses.

RidesAHaffie (Karen), might be coming without carriage or pony? Update, please, Karen?

Ashemont (Pat and Joe), 2 adults, 2 carriages, 1 Warmblood horse and a pony.

Dale (MySparrow), also without horse, husband or carriage

Becky Potts (MySparrow's client) with 1 VSE -- Little River -- and 1 cart

justlide (Pam and hubby), 2 adults, 1 horse, 1 cart.

Leo and Cynthia

Leia

with adjunct pods of us, including
Pricestory and gang

We'll do a hotel headcount later today, so we can free up rooms as possible.

Dale

[Ashemont]

And don't forget my neighbor, Deborah, with her 4 Welsh ponies - as well as her neighbor, Dana, who is coming to help :) They're only coming for the weekend but will certainly join us in representing Moore County Driving Club. Deborah is also a Bill Long student - has the lesson right after ours on Wednesday mornings. She's busy putting on a Welsh pony show ths weekend (over 100 entries) but she'll be recovered by the time of The Drive :winkgrin:

Dale, have you got us down for The Hampton? Is that where you'll be?

[pricestory]

Maybe we can get Dana hooked on driving. She's an old pony club buddy of mine.

[justslide]

My husband Michael and I are still in and really looking forward to the Drive. I look forward to meeting everyone!

Pam

[RidesAHaflinger]

RidesAHaffie (Karen), might be coming without carriage or pony? Update, please, Karen?

Dale

No, sorry, I'm not going to be able to make it this year. I wish. I look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you all get back. :yes: :(

Karen

[49'er]

I will not be coming to the drive or the CD, but would anyone from Florida or GA be able to haul a 13 hand pony south from KY. I have one in Indiana that I am thinking about buying, but am trying to see if I can get him down here reasonably. Thanks. Dona in Morriston, FL

[Ashemont]

Maybe we can get Dana hooked on driving.

I think that's a given ;) I was talking to her last week and she seemed downright envious of all the fun Deb and I are having :D She told me she's always wanted to drive and her son and husband have said they since she's supported them in eventing all of these years that they would happily groom/navigate for her. Our little area of the Sandhills is fast becoming driving central! :winkgrin:

Does everyone have their hats from last year? We intend to wear ours and maybe some of the new COTH members would like one? It's an easy way to identify each other ;)

[RidesAHaflinger]

I think that's a given ;) I was talking to her last week and she seemed downright envious of all the fun Deb and I are having :D She told me she's always wanted to drive and her son and husband have said they since she's supported them in eventing all of these years that they would happily groom/navigate for her. Our little area of the Sandhills is fast becoming driving central! :winkgrin:

Does everyone have their hats from last year? We intend to wear ours and maybe some of the new COTH members would like one? It's an easy way to identify each other ;)

Pat, I still have a few of the hats in stock. I should send them to one of you so you can take them to the Drive. They don't seem to have found much of a market elsewhere. :winkgrin:

Karen

[hobbyhorse23]

Hats? Did someone mention hats? ::looks perky:: I want a hat!

Okay, so just who are the clinicians at this thing anyway? I know Bob Giles will be there and now I hear Bill Long. How much are lessons using the clinician's horses? How do I sign up? It wouldn't hurt me at all to take some more dressage instruction.

Leia

[Ashemont]

Uh.... I don't think Bill Long will be there. Deborah and I take lessons from him weekly in Southern Pines but as of today he hasn't said anything about going. And I'm SURE he would've mentioned it by now ;) Sorry for the misunderstanding.

The hats are tan and green baseball caps with a COTH Forum logo that Sami designed. Quite cute :D Karen, we're going for the whole Drive this year and I'd be very happy to take the hats and sell them. I'm sure there will be a market.

[MySparrow]

I don't know about Bill Long, but this is what the website says:

Clinician Elizabeth Keathley

Elizabeth Keathley is the owner and operator of the Cannon Carriage Driving Center at Valhalla Farms in Woodbury, Tennessee. Before she began driving, she competed hunters/jumpers with David Wright of Hunters Court Stable. She began driving in 1989 and started showing in 1992. She is experienced in training and competing with single, pair and four-in-hand horses and ponies. Elizabeth currently competes a four-in-hand pony team at the advanced level. She is a past USEF National Reserve Pony Four-In-Hand Champion. She trains with Germany’s Michael Freund, World Four-In-Hand Champion.

Elizabeth offers carriage driving instruction for juniors and adults, beginners through advanced at her Cannon Carriage Driving Center as well as at various clinic sites around the country. She accepts horses and ponies for training at the Driving Center. She trains for the three dimensions of driving; recreational, pleasure showing and combined driving.

Elizabeth, as a dealer for Driving Essentials, provides clients with carriages, leather harness, bits, whips, and other driving equipment. She offers synthetic harness as a dealer for Zilco Harness.

To learn more about Elizabeth Keathley and the Cannon Carriage Driving Center, go to www.cannoncarriagedrivingcenter.com or e-mail Elizabeth at elizabethkeathley@hughes.net.

Clinician Olaf Nyby

Olaf Nyby is an advanced level driver and one of Europe’s top horsemen. Olaf has ridden and driven horses since childhood – recreationally, competitively and commercially – and has worked with all breeds of horses. In addition, he has traveled extensively in the equine communities of the USA, Canada, and Europe, including visits at the Royal Mews in England, Sweden and Denmark.

Today Olaf operates Vognmannsservice, a full service carriage business, where he makes quality harness including traditional Norwegian harness. He also designs and makes recreational and competition vehicles and is an authorized dealer for Smucker’s harness, Kutzmann carriages, Dobert whips and “everything for the driving horse”. At the same time, Olaf trains driving and riding horses, and gives clinics in driving and general horsemanship throughout Norway and internationally.

Olaf’s philosophy is based on the natural behavior and physiology of the horse. Whether training beginners or working with advanced horses and drivers, Olaf emphasizes his belief that horses need to work, and thrive when their training matches their physical and mental potential. Olaf teaches that a good relationship between horse and horseman is one of mutual respect and trust. No matter what discipline, Olaf’s goal is always the same: a comfortable, confident and responsive horse.

Clinician Bob Giles
Robert (Bob) Giles, driving-horse trainer, and professional driver is equally comfortable in the carriage box or behind a hitch of draft horses. As a trainer, he is particularly adept at correcting undesirable behaviors in abused, neglected, or traumatized horses. His training program emphasizes safety, and driver-horse rapport. Whenever possible he prefers close participation of the owner/driver in their horse’s training. Mr. Giles employs his own exceptionally well-trained horses introducing green horses to harness and hitch.

Bob has been a draft hitch driver since youth, doing farm work and logging in the Maine woods throughout his teen years. He owned and operated a driving horse training center, Gentle Brook Farm, in Maine for 14 years. He and his wife Brenda then started the Winter Hill Driving Center in Morriston, Florida, which they operate to this day. He was a tour carriage driver at the Arcadia National Parke in Maine for several years. He has done coaching with four-in-hands of Friesians, Gelderlanders, and Morgan for various clients, and driven and competed four and six-horse Clydesdale hitches.

Bob was navigator for Larry Poulin at the Rhinebeck, Germany World Cup Competition in 1987. He is now a well-known CDE competitor in the Southeast, frequently securing class wins. He is very active as clinician, participant and contestant in Florida driving events, to include the Florida State Fair, Gloria Austin’s Continental Acres Equine Resort, and the Scottish Festival in Ocala.

There are also free sessions on anatomy, with Barbara Corson, DVM; on shoeing the driving horse with Lyle Peterson, on wrapping legs with Elizabeth Keathley, on Harness Fitting with Heather Schneider, and on dressing the part with Sheri Lower.

[MySparrow]

Just spoke with the National Drive office, and they are now compiling a tentative list of vendors. Don posted the list last year, and as it turned out there were even more vendors than listed. I'll have the new tentative list later today.

I didn't know this, but it seems that the National Drive only allows clinicians to serve for 2 years. That's why Andy Marcoux isn't there this year; Bob Giles has replaced him. However, Andy's shop Coachman's Delight, with its delectable stuff, will be there!

Dale

[MySparrow]

One more PS -- the National Drive office is being inundated with reservations and will soon be out of stalls. If you haven't booked yet, please do so ASAP!!!!!

[justslide]

MySparrow,

Getting myself organized with directions, etc. The Hampton Inn - is that the one listed on the ND website? On Darby?

Thanks!

[horseyfolks]

The Hampton Inn is located at Exit 26, just North of the Horse Park. When you come off the exit ramp you will turn left and go back over I-75. At the traffic light you will turn right onto the frontage road and then right again at the stop sign and the Hampton Inn is on your right.....

Don

[justslide]

Thanks Don!

I am getting a trip binder put together with directions, instructions, Coggins, Health Cert, vax records, etc.

[MySparrow]

Thanks, Don! Directions are NOT my strong suit!

I just got my new issue of Carriage Driving World and found in it an article by two of the presenters at the National Drive, Olaf Nyby and Barbara Corson. It addresses the thoughts that Thomas brought up with his post about starting the young horse.

I understand that Dr. Corson will be arriving at the ND with a full horse skeleton!

[hobbyhorse23]

Uwww, tan and green. Just my colors! Definitely save me a hat.

Deborah is also a Bill Long student - has the lesson right after ours on Wednesday mornings.

No Bill Long, quote was in reference to regular lessons- got it.

Stall- got it.

Vendor list- can't wait to get it!

Leia

[mares tails]

The Hampton Inn is located at Exit 26, just North of the Horse Park. ...
Don

Make that I-75 Exit 126.

KHP is at Exit 120 Iron Works Pike.

Next exit northbound is Exit 125 (Georgetown/US 460), then Exit 126.

I-75 Exits are numbered by mile markers, with mile zero at the KY/TN line.

.

[RidesAHaflinger]

Uwww, tan and green. Just my colors! Definitely save me a hat.

Leia

I have 5 COTH driving forum hats here. Two are tan, two are blue and one is black. Pat, if you'll PM me your mailing address I'll send these to you on Monday.

We're having an unnamed tropical 'something' here today. :eek: I'm glad I got out for a drive yesterday. The boys will be confined to quarters during the storm today and tomorrow,occupying themselves with munching hay. From their standpoint it will be time well spent. :winkgrin:

[MySparrow]

kearlydk (Dick, Mary, and Annie), 2 adults 1 junior, 1 marathon carriage and 4 Caspian horses: one room or two?

Ashemont (Pat and Joe), 2 adults, 2 carriages, 1 Warmblood horse and a pony. one room

Dale (MySparrow), also without horse, husband or carriage one roomBecky Potts (MySparrow's client) with 1 VSE -- Little River -- and 1 cart - sharing with Dale

justlide (Pam and hubby), 2 adults, 1 horse, 1 cart. one room

Leo and Cynthia one room

Deborah and Dana -- weekend only, how many rooms?

Please let me know today, guys. The hotels are booked solid and begging for rooms back if we can release them. Don conferred with me yesterday and we decided to go ahead and release the LaQuinta rooms, so now we're looking at how many we can release at the Hampton, if any.

Roll on the National Drive!!

[justslide]

One room for hubby & I is correct!

Arriving on the 10th and checking out on the 14th.

Thanks!
Pam (and Michael)

[4marks]

Hi everyone,
don't forget to stop by Freedman's new store in Midway. We are just off of I-64 going towards Louisville, about 20 minutes from the Horse Park. We will not be having a booth at the National Drive but please do visit the little town of Midway, its a jewel in the heart of the Bluegrass and definately worth the trip!!

Please call if you need directions, 859-846-9674 and our hours are from 10-6 everyday.

Looking forward to seeing you and good luck!
Nicole Dreher
Freedman's
Midway, KY

[Ashemont]

Confirming one room for hubby and me at The Hampton; we're leaving here on the 9th and returning on the 15th so we'll be staying Sunday night, too. Would prefer ground floor if possible due to our disabilities. Am sure that Dana and Deborah are planning to share the room. You can contact Deb at odysseynor@aol.com directly.

Can't wait to see you all again... and to meet new friends :D

[kearleydk]

Didn't know we had a block at La Quinta. They allow dogs so I would have wanted to be there. Had my name on a waiting list on the manager, Greg's desk and darned if they didn't give the rooms out without calling me.

Anyway I still need my one room somewhere so hang onto it at the Hampton.

Thanks
Dick

[cabz]

Dale

I have been away on a 3 day bed and bale trailriding and just check the forum this morning. On the list you have my husband and I (Leo and Cynthia) down for one room. We will not be staying at the hotel as I have booked a campsite for Friday and Saturday nite at the horse park, so that room can be freed up. Looking forward to the ND and all the goodies associated to come with it and meeting all the people!!!!!!!!!!!!! Need a hatbox for my new driving hat!!!!!! Can't find one big enough around here.

Only what 2 weeks till we leave!!!!!!!!

Cynthia

[Jetiki]

Do you have a Tuesday Morning Store near you? They have some strange and interesting stuff and ususally have hat boxes.


Karen

[MySparrow]

Hi! If you would all just confirm your rooms, I'll make sure we've got 'em. I'm assuming f nights is Wednesday night through Saturday night. Pat and Joe are also staying Sunday night. Please note any changes ASAP!

Many thanks --

kearlydk (Dick, Mary, and Annie), one room -- 4nights?

Ashemont (Pat and Joe), 2 adults, 2 carriages, 1 Warmblood horse and a pony. one room 5 nights

Dale Rose (MySparrow) and BeckyPotts -- one room 4 nights

justlide (Pam and hubby), one room -- 4 nights?

Leo and Cynthia one room -- 4 nights?

Deborah and Dana -- one room -- two nights

[justslide]

Wednesday - Saturday night with checkout on Sunday is correct for me!

Pam