THE
NEWSLETTER OF THE AMERICAN DRIVING SOCIETY, INC.
Representing Carriage Driving in the United States and Canada
NL237
December 2016
NOTES
IN THIS ISSUE:
NOTES From the Editor ......................................... 1 OPINIONS From Between My Blinders ...................... 2
Photo by Louise Rothery
NEWS Mid-Atlantic Regional Drive (MARD) Costume Parade and Pumpkin Contest ..................................................... 3
From the Editor
T
he first snow of the season hit the East coast last week, and with these chilly temperatures it’s beginning to feel like the holidays are here. We have planned a winter-themed photo essay in the February issue of The Whip, so please send me high resolution images of your carriage horses this winter; pulling a sleigh, nibbling on a holiday wreath, or going for a relaxing drive in the wintery fields. See below for details. Do you have ideas for feature material in an upcoming issue? Please email me your story ideas. Event organizers, send me your dates for 2017 to receive deadlines for your coverage in The Whip. I’m always interested in publishing great event coverage from recreational drives, pleasure shows, CDEs, and other club events. Remember, if you have a business to promote, stock or tack to sell, or stalls that need filling, an ad in The Whip reaches your target market of carriage driving enthusiasts. Contact me for deadlines and special rates. We’d like to extend our sincere condolences to our beloved staff member, Stacy Carlson, on the unexpected loss of her father right before Thanksgiving. We ask that you keep her and her family close in thought this season. Happy holidays from all of us at The American Driving Society, Inc.!
Abbie
Happy Holidays!
Check out our coverage from the National Drive in the February 2017 issue of
Email us a high resolution photo of your carriage horses or ponies during the holidays for consideration in our winter-themed photo essay in the February issue of The Whip. Deadline January 1.
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
Professional photos must be accompanied by a photo release. Abbie@americandrivingsociety.org.
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.
Read all about the ADS affiliate relationship with USEF on www.americandrivingsociety.org under the My ADS tab, ADS Matters. 1
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OPINIONS
From Between My Blinders Safe, Responsible Drivers By Hardy Zantke
S
afety is a relative item. We all strive for it, but we all have different standards: I like to put it this way: Anybody who drives faster than me is a reckless idiot, and anybody who drives slower than me is a chicken, right? And isn’t that how many of us feel? Only, we all drive at different speeds, and each of us thinks his own way is the only right way! And doesn’t this little example show how biased we are? Instead, let’s keep our minds more open and accept that our standards might not be the only ones - and others might have their own - which might be very right for them. So let us remember that point before we lecture others on what they should or should not do. Let’s be kind to each other by making suggestions instead of becoming outraged. Only if it is something that is very clearly spelled out in our rules, like never to take off a bridle from a hitched horse, should we be strong in pointing that out. That one is clear, but there are so many other items, where things are not that clearly cut and dry. For example: A while ago there was a discussion on the CD-L on safety and snap shackles breaking. While I fully agree to spend extra money to invest in good and safe equipment, e.g. rated or marine-strength snap shackles, let’s not lose sight of how much safety risk a substandard snap shackle really is, which depends on where you use it. Most folks use them for the traces. So then, what happens if one breaks? Is that really a big safety risk? Before we had snap shackles it was not uncommon to have “a trace down”. Ok, so one had to stop, put a groom down,
and get it re-attached. Granted, not a nice thing in the middle of a competition, and usually resulting in some extra penalties or at least some time lost - but is it really a safety risk? Yes, also granted, in some special situation even a trace down could present a safety risk, but we always faced that before we had snap shackles. So on a snap shackle breaking or coming undone on a trace end, I don’t see that so much as a safety risk, whereas the other scenario, that a bad snap shackle might not open properly when you are in an accident and want it to open, yes, that’s not so nice - then you might have to cut a trace - but also there - similar as to the times before snap shackles. But, if you use snap shackles for other applications it may be a totally different story. For example a snap shackle breaking or opening by itself at the pole strap of a pair, yes, that can become a very serious safety risk with the horses being unable to hold back the carriage, the carriage rolling up on the horses hocks, and the horses bolting. So there, a low grade snap shackle is a big safety risk. The important point to me is that drivers should always be captains of their own ships and be aware that only they are fully responsible for their entire turnouts, including the horses, and all the people on the carriage as well as everybody in their path. Everybody should drive according to their own skill levels and the horses’ temperaments and training - and one should not be guided by looking at what others might do who might have more advanced skills or horses. Stick to what you know to be safe for you and your horse and don’t risk more than that! Don’t drive on the edge - stay in the middle - please! Safe and happy driving,
Hardy
Contribute to our Publications Do you love to write?
Do you have an idea for a feature? Consider writing for our publications. Please submit writing samples to abbie@americandrivingsociety.org. 2
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NEWS
Mid-Atlantic Regional Drive (MARD) Costume Parade and Pumpkin Contest By Heidi Ferguson
Photo by Kay Wright
Part of this year’s Pumpkin Carving Contest. Others arrived too late to be judged. All looked fantastic!
Photos by Louisa Emerick
Judy Hoffman’s “Fall Fest” entry pulled by “Spice”.
Photo by Louisa Emerick
Sue Fair & husband Don with “Down on the Farm” this year’s Runner Up Costume Contest.
Linda Kalman’s “Royal Harvest Celebration” entry.
Photo by Kay Wright
W
e “MARDites” like to have fun. So, as this is becoming a tradition, MARD once again offered a Costume Parade and Pumpkin Carving Contest with a modest cash prize. It always amazes me how creative people can get when it comes to this sort of thing, let alone all the work that goes into it. This year, since MARD fell slightly before Halloween, we modified the Carriage Costume to a Fall Harvest theme. Six carriages joined in the fun, circling the barns and then driving the perimeter of a grassy area while onlookers cheered, voted and took pictures. This year’s winner was Judy Hoffman, from Blue Ridge Carriage Club with the entry of her harvest wagon “Fall Fest” pulled by her mini “Spice” and accompanied by her sister’s French Bulldog. The pumpkins were equally impressive, with the win going to Darlene Kemper of Blue Ridge Carriage Club and her “Kemper Knoll Farm” pumpkin. Gosh those Blue Ridge gals like to compete! This year’s entries were all quite impressive, though sadly not all made it into the contest in time to be judged at the appointed hour. Next year I will have to remember to bring tea lights for the entries. I absolutely love entering the tent through a corridor of attractively carved pumpkins lit and glowing with friendly cheer!
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Advertise in Advertise your horses, tack, events and more in the February issue of The Whip.
Deadline Jan 1. Email abbie@americandrivingsociety.org or call
608-729-0234.
Phone: 608-237-7382 • Fax: 608-237-6468 E-mail: info@americandrivingsociety.org www.americandrivingsociety.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED P.O. Box 278, Cross Plains, WI 53528
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