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NEWSLETTER OF THE AMERICAN DRIVING SOCIETY, INC.
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Representing Carriage Driving in the United States and Canada
IN THIS ISSUE:
nOtes Celebrate with an Ad! ................................. 1 Ads neWs • ADS Annual Members Meeting ................ 1 • Proxy ........................................................ 2 • ADS launches NEW Volunteer of the Year award program ................................. 3 • Recreational Driving in the Northeast ...... 3 • Clinic Held at Eastern Iowa Carriage Glow ......................................................... 3 • ADS Annual Members Meeting ................ 7 dePARtMent neWs • Letter to US Equestrian Membership ....... 4 • U.S. Athletes Begin Competition at 2017 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies ................................................. 5 OPiniOns • From Between My Blinders ...................... 6
September 2017
NOTeS
Celebrate with an Ad!
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s we round the corner into the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, it’s time to think about celebrating your successful show season with an ad in the November Whip. We’re holding the issue open a little later than usual to accommodate coverage from the ADS Annual Meeting, which is being held later than usual this year. Therefore, the November Whip will be arriving to mailboxes just in time for Thanksgiving. Seize the opportunity to celebrate your winning season or to wish your fellow carriage drivers a happy holiday with an ad in The Whip. Email abbie@americandrivingsociety.org or call 530.902.8065 to reserve your space by October 1. Did you know that when you place an ad in The Whip or The Wheelhorse, your message is seen by the entire membership? Additionally, the revenue goes right back to the ADS. Support the organization that supports carriage driving! I’m fresh home from my first trip to Walnut Hill. What a unique, special experience. I can’t wait to share with you my pictures in the next issue of The Whip. You’ll get complete coverage from the iconic pleasure show in the November magazine. Until next month,
Abbie
ADS NewS
ADS Annual Members Meeting
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oin us for our annual members meeting in Lexington, KY – October 13- 15, 2017, held in conjunction with The National Drive October 10-15, 2017. If you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting please fill out a proxy and return to the ADS office no later than October 1, 2017. The proxy is on page 2.
Coming up in the November Whip: Exciting coverage from Walnut Hill! Francois Bergeron navigates the water hazard. 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.
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Return by October 1, 2017 to: The American Driving Society, Inc. P.O. Box 278 Cross Plains, WI 53528 • (608) 237-7382 Fax: (608) 237-6468 • Email: info@americandrivingsociety.org
Limited proxy I am a member of The American Driving Society, Inc. (the “ADS”). I hereby appoint _______________________________________, as my proxy to vote on my behalf at any meeting of the membership at which I am not physically in attendance, provided that proxy may be used to establish a quorum for the upcoming Annual Membership Meeting to be held in Lexington, KY on October 10-15, 2017, including any adjournment and continuation of said meeting, and that this proxy shall be used for no other purpose. One form per person. Member Name:_________________________________ Member Number: ___________________________ (please print)
Member Signature _______________________________________ Date: _____________________________ u u u u This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors with the following explanation: In Accordance with the law of the state of New York, the state in which The American Driving, Society, Inc. is incorporated, our annual membership meeting must have at least 100 voting members present, in person or by proxy, in order to be considered a legal meeting. In the event that we do not have a quorum at a meeting, no legally binding actions can be taken. Your prompt return of a signed proxy to the ADS office, at the address above, will allow the ADS to conduct legal business at the Annual Members Meeting, October 14, 2017. Please note that if you wish to send this proxy to the ADS office, it must be receIveD in the ADS office by October 1, 2017. Proxies carried in person to the meeting must be submitted to the Secretary. If you have any questions, please feel free to direct them to the ADS office at (608) 237-7382 or email to info@americandrivingsociety.org. While we all prefer seeing as many members as possible attend in person, sometimes that’s not always possible.
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ADS News
ADS launches NEW Volunteer of the Year award program riving shows, club events of all sorts, and the administration of the ADS would not be possible without the hard work and incredible dedication of volunteers. Our volunteers do everything from parking cars in blazing heat to obstacle judging in pouring rain, from office work to course construction, airport runs for officials and opening their homes to out of state competitors. We simply could not begin to run our organization, clubs, and our competitions without this cadre of capable and generous people.
All of our volunteers deserve to be recognized, but there are some that stand out for the extra miles they go and the efforts they make. Please take a moment to think of a standout volunteer, and submit a nomination with the following information: • The name and contact information of the volunteer • How was their contribution outstanding? - A few words of praise – how has this particular volunteer made your life easier? An event/show/clinic made better? - What did they do that was above and beyond? Please submit a high resolution photo if available. • Please include your name and contact information on the nomination The recipient will be gratefully acknowledged at the ADS Annual Members Meeting in October, and featured in The Whip. Nominations should be submitted to: info@americandrivingsociety.org by September 1, 2017.
Recreational Driving in the Northeast
Clinic Held at Eastern Iowa Carriage Glow
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The ADS Volunteer of the Year:
Recognizing Those Who Give So Much to Driving
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By Leona Anastasi
here seems to be a renewed interest in recreational driving in the Northeast region. Be sure to check out the web site for the Granite State Driving Club as well as the Saratoga Driving Association. Both clubs are doing a great job organizing safe friendly drives in their area. Speaking of recreational driving, the Northeast Regional Drive is approaching. Myles Standish Park in South Carver, Massachusetts offers safe, scenic driving roads for all level drivers and all size horses/ponies. Whether you drive a mini, draft, pony or horse this park will accommodate your equines’ abilities. Stabling overlooks a scenic sandy beach pond. Bring your bathing suit, kayak or fishing rod! Luncheon demos, clinics, driving games, great food, and much more are part of the daily schedule. Sign up with Jerry Trapani directly for your Driver Proficiency Testing at: shadbelly4@aol.com. Join us for four, three, two, or one day September 28, 29, 30 & October 1st. You will be glad you did. Contact Leona: lanastasi@charter.net or Diane: adkoopman@yahoo.com for entries or more information. The CAN-AM Challenge in Becancour, Quebec was supported by twelve American drivers. We all had a great time and are looking forward to the final “face off” at GMHA in August. Hopefully we will bring home the trophy! Looking forward be sure to get your entries into GMHA CDE at the end of August. The Southern New England Carriage Driving Association is offering a day of scurry driving competition the day before their pleasure show in Dudley, Massachusetts at Celtic Cross Farm on September 16th. Be sure to check the Omnibus for dates for the Saratoga Club’s event the beginning of October. Drive safely and please send me info on your activities.
By Laurie Renda
ll in all the 2017 Glow was a success. Last year we had 29 exhibitors and this year we had 45. The show ran smoothly and our new location is working well also. The New to ADS Clinic was a success. It was put on by Linda Bennett and Erika Matulich. We opened the clinic to a few spectators that drive and were at the show to check out an ADS Pleasure event. 16 participants attended the clinic. Topics covered were: Turnout basics, do’s and don’ts; different gaits, and what a judge is looking for to differentiate the gaits; what constitutes a break of pace/canter penalty; ring manners and passing; rules and tips for reverse psychology; rules and tips for pick your route; super reinsmanship, and how to walk/practice the test for the show, the salute. Many questions were asked and answered. Visit our website for more information: www.easterniowacarriageglow.com
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DEPARTMENT NEws
Letter to US Equestrian Membership Dear Fellow Member, The US Equestrian Board of Directors met last week on Monday and Tuesday, July 24 and 25. During this meeting, it was evident that our Sport and our Federation is moving in the right direction and that our Strategic Plan, while still in its early days, is working. This is evidenced by a growing membership, teams and individuals winning on the world stage, balanced financials, and the implementation of many new initiatives. The Board meeting was productive, energizing, and decisively put our members’ best interests first. Importantly, there was unity and trust among the board members representing various disciplines, affiliates and athletes that allowed us to further advance our strategic goals. I saw a willingness to move forward and press towards positive change, with progressive ideas and unprecedented decision-making. Your US Equestrian Management team, under Bill Moroney’s leadership, has been making similar strides. They have analyzed the functions of US Equestrian to better focus their efforts and those of the Board on the areas valued by our members. For example, the demands by our membership to eradicate doping have been heard loud and clear and a much stronger stance has been taken. The result has been a significant reduction in positive doping tests so far this year. That is good news. Similarly, the Board of Directors approved new, stronger penalty guidelines for abuse and welfare violations similar to those approved over a year ago for drugs and medication violations. You asked that our penalties match the severity of the violations, and we listened. Continuing with our commitment to horse and human welfare, the Board approved the recommendations of the USEF Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA) Panel. First, starting September 1, 2017, competitors will be required to file a medication report if their horse has received MPA, commonly referred to as Depo-Provera®, within 90 days prior to the start of a competition. Medication forms will be available to competitors online at www.usef.org. Second, the horrid misuse of large doses of injectable magnesium sulfate has been a hot topic in the show world for quite a while. In support of the 12 Hour rule, and to eliminate the misuse of injectable magnesium sulfate, the Board approved the addition of this medication as a US Equestrian forbidden substance to be implemented as soon as possible, while allowing proper communication to our members. Additionally, possession of injectable magnesium sulfate on competition grounds will be prohibited. Finally, to help our horses suffering the effects of Cushing’s Disease, our Equine Drugs & Medications Department, at the request of the Board, is analyzing the ability to permit the controlled use of pergolide mesylate during competition. We look forward to making an announcement on this horse welfare friendly breakthrough very soon. On the promotional front, US Equestrian has surged forward into the 21st century. Video views on the USEF Network, 4
Learning Center, and social media topped seven million since the launch of the ‘Joy of Horse Sports’ campaign. Our social media ambassadors have an aggregated following of over 600,000 equestrian enthusiasts. We have partnered with production providers and organizers to livestream a diverse mix of new events via the USEF Network. Our new fan membership category has been popular, driving total membership up by
almost 25% to nearly 105,000; sponsorship is approaching a record high and in addition to more education and human interest content, we are bringing back the suspension list in our US Equestrian magazine. I also wanted to give you a heads up that in order to sustain growth and further develop benefits and programs to serve our membership and protect our horses, the US Equestrian Board of Directors approved several fee increases. Starting next year, the US Equestrian Membership fee will increase from $55 to $80, about the same or less than the membership fees of our major affiliates like USHJA, USDF and USEA. It’s been a decade since we have increased fees. During that same time, the cost of doing business has increased 33%, which has been offset by cost containment efforts that have hurt our staff as well as member services, especially at the grass root level. This is unacceptable. The approved fee increases will allow us to address these issues and re-invest back into growing our sport at ALL levels, not just elite levels. A primary area of investment will be to bring unrated shows into the US Equestrian family and encourage the return of B & C rated shows. Our sport can’t be strong without a strong foundation. We will also continue to invest in education, learning center videos, communication tools, athlete pathways, trainer certification, and the like. Finally, developmental funds will be allocated to help grow the sport across all breeds and disciplines. Separately, the Drugs & Medications fee per horse, per show will increase to $15. Sadly, this increase is necessary to fund the battle against cheating on the field of play and to defend the findings of the Hearing Committee in the court room. It is unfortunate that we all need to pay this tax because of a few bad eggs, but it is the price we must pay for clean sport and a fair and level playing field. Another member change starting next year is that we will be moving to an anniversary membership model. This means that no matter when someone joins, they will enjoy a full 12-month membership. And, if the new auto-renewal option is selected,
you will never miss points for a show or any other US Equestrian benefit or communication. I am aware that some of you will speculate that these fee increases will be used to fund a new headquarters building that you may or may not have heard about. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, none of the funding resulting from this increase will be used to pay for construction of the new headquarters, nor will any incremental funds from ongoing operations or reserves be utilized. Simply said, we are taking advantage of record low interest rates and a zero percent down loan backed by the state to build a new headquarters that will save our members over three hundred thousand dollars per year, versus our current expensive lease, while at the same time creating a more collaborative work environment. It’s a win-win. So, in summary, the entire team at US Equestrian, including the Board of Directors, is committed to making equestrian sport
enjoyable for you and your horse. We will continue to actively seek your feedback and to do our best to provide you with relevant resources and education, a fair and level competition environment, and an organization that makes informed and responsible decisions without bias. Our athletes are winning. Our membership is growing. Cheating is declining. And, with the fee increases discussed, combined with our on-going cost control programs, our financial position will continue to strengthen. Thank you for being a member of US Equestrian, for being involved in equestrian sport, and for sharing the joy of horse sports with everyone you know. Best regards, Murray S. Kessler President
U.S. Athletes Begin Competition at 2017 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies By Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department
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inden-Kutenhausen, Germany – The best combined driving athletes and their ponies have come to the 2017 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies, August 15-20, in hopes of winning a medal. Under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Jennifer Matheson and coach Thorsten Zarembowicz, Miranda Cadwell, Tracey Morgan, and Katie Whaley will compete as individuals for the U.S. The U.S. representatives are seasoned world championship competitors and will draw upon their experience while competing in Minden-Kutenhausen. Cadwell and Morgan will compete in the FEI World Driving Championships for Single Ponies, while Whaley is the sole U.S. competitor in the FEI World Driving Championships for Pair Ponies. Morgan (Beallsville, MD) and her own Fuego 88 started their third consecutive world championship together on Wednesday by scoring 53.61 in the dressage phase to sit in sixth place. They have won numerous USEF Single Pony Combined Driving National Championship titles. Morgan and the 2001 German Riding Pony gelding have won the CAI2*-P1 divisions at the Palm Tree Combined Driving Event (CDE) at Little Everglades and Live Oak International earlier this year. Cadwell (Southern Pines, NC) and Cannon’s Majestic Leyla began their world championship appearance on Wednesday with a score of 65.07 in the dressage phase to sit in 36th place. Cadwell last competed in a world championship in 2011. She and the 2003 Welsh Pony-cross mare have been consistent performers since their partnership began in 2013. In 2017, Cadwell and the mare finished fourth in the CAI2*-P1 divisions at the Palm Tree CDE
at Little Everglades and Live Oak International before winning the Advanced Single Pony division at Southern Pines CDE. Whaley (Paris, KY), who will contest the dressage phase on Thursday, won every CDE she entered in 2016, and was the 2016 and 2017 USEF Pair Pony Combined Driving National Champion with her own Tommy, a 2003 Welsh Pony-cross gelding, and Tanner, a 2006 Welsh Pony-cross gelding, and Barbara Sims’s Night Flyer, a 2000 Welsh Section C gelding. This year, she and her ponies won the CAI2*-P2 divisions at the Palm Tree CDE at Little Everglades and Live Oak International and the Advanced Pair Pony division at Southern Pines CDE in preparation for the world championships. Competition continues Thursday with the dressage phase of the FEI World Driving Championships for Pair Ponies with Whaley performing her dressage test at 10:05 a.m. EST. The marathon phase for all divisions takes place Saturday, followed by the cones phase on Sunday.
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Opinions
Rule Changes By Hardy Zantke
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nce again we are in the middle of that pesky rule change cycle, and believe me, I as well as so many of you are equally tired of ever-changing rules. But we must realize that it just is something in human nature we can’t escape. Things never can stay the same. The only constant is always change, and of course that is not restricted to our sport, we see it around us all the time. We have to live with change, adjust to it and make the best of it. Our volunteers who spend many hours working are just trying to do their best for our sport and all of us. Nobody makes these changes just to irk us. All of them do indeed spend a lot of effort and a lot of work trying to balance all the various interests between the different groups in our sport, from newcomers and beginners all the way to our top level competitors as well as organizers and officials. Yes, we all realize only a few of our competitors will ever reach the top levels of the international sport. So why do we need to burden the beginners with some of the complications, and confusions in the rule book of the top levels? Can’t we just have a simple rule book for the beginners? That would be nice. For many years I have said I’m afraid it can’t be done. The devil is in the details. It is much harder to actually do than just wanting to. Over the last couple of years, some people have come forward to do it, and I have supported it and hoped they would prove me wrong. Unfortunately so far it has not progressed much. That was not due to lack of good will. It is just too complicated - the same as we see in our Government too. Yes, we all want a simpler tax code. Can that be done? Will it ever be done? The big sticky points with our combined driving rules, of course, is the concept that contrary to pleasure driving, combined driving is an international sport. So the rules for the top of combined driving are made by the international ruling body, the FEI. They too have their rule change cycles. They, as well as we, try to have our new rules effective January 1st of each year, and our question always is on how much to stay in sync with the FEI, as well as our National Federation US Equestrian, both in our time frame as well as in the details of the rules. This year we received the FEI rule change proposals barely in time for our Combined Driving Committee to work them through and include what they thought would be our best 6
options in our current cycle. That was not an easy task as this year the FEI also has some fairly substantial and controversial changes (The ADS has never blindly just followed the FEI. There are many instances where we have not done so.). Added to that is the question that we won’t know until late November which of those changes will go through at the FEI. So only then can our Combined Driving Committee make their final adjustments and have them passed through our BOD, and our Rules Committee implement them still in time for (hopefully) January 1st. When you read this, our time for regular input to the Rule Change Proposals of the ADS this year has passed. If you are a competitor and are interested in that part of our sport I hope you read the rule change proposals and gave your input. Now it is in the hands of our committees to come up with their final versions, based on their best judgements with taking your input into due considerations. Believe me, they do, but they don’t just count a simple majority, and rightfully so - as they do need to have the entire spectrum of the sport in their mind to find the best solutions. Then the rule changes are proposed to the full ADS Board of Directors for their final vote to either implement, or vote down, or send back to committee for further work. Usually that is done at the Annual ADS Meeting in the fall, but not always, as sometimes things don’t get ready in time for various reasons (see the FEI matter mentioned above), in which case such a vote could come later at another BOD meeting by conference call or as a web meeting. Members are always welcome to attend either one. All ADS meetings are open to the membership, with few exceptions (like LOC Meetings or when personal issues need to be discussed and the BOD goes into executive sessions). Rule Change Proposals do not fall into any of such category. So you can always attend, either in person at the annual meeting or on the phone or on your computer to see and hear what is going on, and even often still have the chance for some input there as our current President usually does ask for input from the floor at such meetings. As usual, it will require a lot of compromises from all involved and a lot of good work of our committees and volunteers. I hope we can all appreciate their work and the outcome, no matter which of the details or even concepts we might not all agree with. Happy driving,
Hardy
Ads Annual Members Meeting Lexington, KY – October 13- 15, 2017 In conjunction with
The National Drive October 10-15, 2017 This year’s meeting will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park in conjunction with The National Drive! The National Drive, which runs from October 10-15th, offers several marked drives throughout the Kentucky Horse Park, along with clinicians, vendors, and seminars. To register for The National Drive, go to
http://www.nd.net/. There is no deadline for The National Drive registration, but the stall preference deadline is September 23rd. For more information, visit www.nationaldrive.net or call Virginia Goodman at 502-370-1348.
The ADS will be hosting a Driving Derby on Friday, October 13, and the Annual Members Meeting and Awards Dinner on October 14 at the
Cardome Center, a few miles away from the Kentucky Horse Park. To register for the dinner, please fill out the form below and mail it to the
ADS office or email it to stacy@americandrivingsociety.org. Questions should be directed to the ADS office at (608) 237-7382. To register, please go to http://americandrivingsociety.org/AnnualMeetingform.aspx. It is not necessary to bring a horse to enjoy all the activities that The National
Drive has planned – come and enjoy yourselves. You will see many old friends and make many new ones! If you plan to participate in the Driving Derby, wine and cheese parties or any other activities at the Kentucky Horse Park, you will need to register with The National Drive. If you plan to attend the ADS Annual Members Meeting and Awards Dinner, register with the ADS.
Registrations due October 1, 2017. One form per person, please. 7
The American Driving Society, Inc. P.O. Box 278, Cross Plains, WI 53528
Phone: 608-237-7382 • Fax: 608-237-6468 E-mail: info@americandrivingsociety.org www.americandrivingsociety.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Photo by Abbie Trexler.
Gail Aumiller and her Friesian took home the blue ribbon at Walnut Hill in the costume class.