Valentine Drive
by Penny Brandon
In 2008, it was so cold. In 2009, it rained. This year,
the weather was a perfect 10.
Saturday, 2/22 was the annual Valentine’s Drive in
Salisbury
. We had a good turnout, with 4 horses under saddle and 7 carriages,
including the debut of Tricia’s shiny new Marathon. There is such a good
variety within the club, from massive drafts to tiny minis, including
Meghann Moore’s miniature donkey. There were also two very well mannered
carriage dogs in attendance.
I’d left my horse at home and only brought my camera,
since I’d gotten great pictures at this event in previous years. Faith had
brought Crescent along with her, though, even though she would be busy all
day with her hostessing duties. She asked me if I’d like to drive
Crescent. For future reference: I don’t generally have to be asked twice
to try somebody else’s horse.
The event got under way with a cross-country road
rally, combining pasture driving with a few back roads and a visit to
Faith’s house. The object, in addition to the obvious getting there and
back in one piece, was to be observant. Participants were given a short test
on what they’d seen along the way. I had a great time driving Crescent,
with Faith’s niece Kristen aboard as navigator. We ended up winning the
event, although I had very little to do with it—Crescent was in her own
back yard.
After a break for lunch, we reassembled for cones and
BINGO. Competition was fierce, but as always with WWDC, lots of fun. Several
members got to experience their first chance to drive a cones course, and
everyone did well.
BINGO was a lot of fun. Faith pulled numbers out of a
bucket to determine the order of the cones. This game requires driving
skill, reflexes, and a good memory, but it helps to also have luck in how
the numbers come. Crescent and I went round and round in circles, but
she’s a pro at cones and taught me a lot. Both the regular cones and BINGO
were won by Jay Moore.
It was a great day, a very successful driving event,
and got the year off to a great start! Next month is a chicken stew and
Q&A session at the Stroupe’s, featuring some of our more experienced
members. For future events, see the events section on the website, or check
out the calendar—and pictures—on face book.
For our March outing, we’re leaving the horses at
home and meeting at Penny & Ron Stroupe’s place in Advance for a Pot
Luck lunch and educational Q&A. Some of our more experienced members
include Barbie Black and Tommy Cope, both of whom have been driving and
training horses for longer than either is likely to admit. Active in the
American Driving Society, Barbie knows all the rules about turnout, tack and
ADS sanctioned competition. Tommy can give advice about starting a young
horse, training a team for cones, or breaking mules to harness. Doug, Reba
and Faith have been driving teams of Percherons for many years. Polly just
got back from a clinic where she drove a four-in-hand, of minis! Do you have
any other questions? What kind of cart is best for dressage? What is the
correct length for a driving whip? Why use brown lines, even on a black
harness? What bit should I use? Bring your favorite dessert or dish, and
chairs & join us at Penny & Ron’s on March 6th to eat, socialize,
and share notes.
DIRECTIONS to the Stroupe’s (by the way ... ... they
are only a couple of miles from Tommy and Karen Cope for those who have been
there):
From I-40: Take exit 180, Hwy. 801 South to
Advance, at the railroad tracks turn L. onto Firestation Road, then L. on
Underpass Road, go approx. 1 mile then L. on Jarvis Road (you'll cross the
RR tracks again), go 1/4 mi. then R. on River Birch Lane. Our shop is the
first building on the right - it's a metal building with a front porch the
length of the building. You can't miss it. We'll have our meeting there. See
you then!
Ron
and Penny
#816-2779 (Ron's mobile if needed)
If you are coming from 801 N you will need to bear
right onto Underpass road (at the Advance Country Store) where the road
forks then follow the directions above.
Tommy said he will put out WWDC arrows.
Update from the CCC
Our facility, FENCE, changed our date for the CCC HDT
in May. Something about the FEI
calendar rotation, but at any rate, it was a surprise to us.
Unfortunately, our President of the ground jury and TD had plans for
the next weekend already. However,
we have located and secured a new great team.
Anne Council will be the President of the Ground Jury and Ellen
Ettenger will be our TD.
We have added Intermediate this year and hope to see
many new folks as well as our usual fantastic competitors from all over the
Southeast. As far as I can tell,
we are the longest continuously running combined driving show in the south.
Last year we had 17 VSE, which included two 4-in-hands,
one tandem and one pair. Pretty
impressive display.
So change the date on your calendar from May 22-23 to
May 29-30 and make plans to come play in the beautiful foothills of Western
North Carolina.
Price, Chili and Poppins Keep the dirty side down
REMINDER:
TTC horse Trials March 27th. The following people volunteered to work
at the horse trials, we will receive a donation from TTC if 12 people work.
Nancy Faller, Barbie Black, Polly Hixson, Penny & Ron Godbey, Jeff &
I, Peggy Andrus, Pat Granzyck, Connie Morris and Kathy & Rebecca Littrel.
I’m sure if more of you want
to come help you would be more than welcome.
Dues are Due!
If you wish to be listed in our directory and you have
“09” after your name, you need to pay your dues by March 10th to be
included in our directory and continue receiving the Newsletter. “10”
after your name means you paid) If you do not see your name and you have
paid PLEASE let Me (Tricia) or Pat know.
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LAST NAME
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LAST NAME
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Andrus 10
No E-mail
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Hines 09
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Black 10
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Hixson 10
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Chrissman 10
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Johnson 09
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Dean 09
Melinda
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Jordan 09
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Engelman 10
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Land 10
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Perez 10
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Laughter 09
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Ramsey 09
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Lawing 09
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Wall 09
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Littrell
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Barga 09 Have
E-mail
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Mischka 09
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Barnette 10
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Moore 10
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Bishop 10
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Morris 10
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Bradshaw 10
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Moser 09
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Brandon 10
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Parker, PhD
10
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Branson 10
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Patten 09
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Brennon-Wagner
10
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Peckham 10
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Burns 09
Sharon
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Prevette 10
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Carter 10
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Rangel 09
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Colvin 09
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Riggins 09
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Cope 09
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Sherrill 10
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Duval 10
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Smith 10
Johnny & Diane
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Ehnes 10
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Snow 10
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Emmerson 09
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Story 09
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Faller 10
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Stroupe 10
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Finnochiaro
09
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Tomasini 09
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Godbey 10
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Vail 10
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Granzyk 10
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White 10
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Grubb 10
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Williams 10
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Harbison 10
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Hardy 10
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