Spinoff: AQHA Pleasure Driving

[mypaintwattie]

Hi All! I am new to the world of driving, and am looking for some help from everyone over here! I have an APHA mare who was started in driving training a few years ago by her former owner. Basically long lining and put between shafts was the extent of her education as far as I know. Anyways, I have decided that I want to add driving to our resume so to say, but I really don't know where to begin. I will eventually be showing on the APHA circuit. First off, yes, I have arranged for a trainer to help us on our quest, but she does not know the in's and out's of the breed circuit. Can anyone here direct me to resources for a harness and cart appropriate for training and showing? Any other information would be helpful as well! We are going to proceed slowly, I don't like to rush into anything, but my mare is very good natured and the trainer said she will do well. TIA!!!!

[AQHA4me]

The pleasurehorse.com forum has several members who drive and are more than happy to offer advice. Also, look at pictures from last year's world show and you can watch the pleasure driving from Congress live on the webcam.
The "popular" cart, if you can afford it is the Jerald Vision. Otherwise a nice two wheeled cart is fine. If you can find a cart that does not have the frame around the outside of the wheels you will look a bit fancier, but people show with both styles. Jerald is the manufacturer of choice, but you can still find old Houghtons. The harness of choice is the Walsh, but I have a Smuckers and fit in just fine ;)
As with anything else in the breed show world, its all about being appropriate to the level that you want to show. Our weekend shows have people in plain black leather harness and older carts to people with patten fine harness and vision carts. Be sure to read the requirements. Wheels need to be atleast 24", harness requires a martingale, and your cart must have a basket, cover optional. That's just a few that I remember off the top of my head.
Paints tend to follow the QH trends, it will be popular there and then trickle down to us, so look at both AQHA and APHA. Breaking to a cart is breaking to cart, get her broke, then find the breed specific advice. Make sure that her park gait is as slow as she can go and really push her out for her road gait. The judges are looking for 2 very different gaits, so be sure that they are distinct.

good luck, maybe I'll see you at a show.

[mypaintwattie]

thank you for the advice, it gives me a base to start looking!