Driven to Succeed
March 3, 2010
Meet some Quarter Horses who compete in all-breed driving.
Debbie and Bob George of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, with Pocos Cherokee Jet. Photo by Hoofprint Images
By Holly Clanahan of America’s Horse
Recently, the American Driving Society sent out an e-mail blast to its members, asking how many of them drive their American Quarter Horses in open shows. Debbie George, the ADS and AQHA member behind that effort, was wowed by the response. “You won’t believe (or I bet you will!) the response I’m getting from that e-mail blast,” she wrote in an e-mail to AQHA. “Turns out there are a lot of us out there driving our Quarter Horses!” One woman sent in photos showing her horse turning a cow on the fence, and then pulling a cart in the next picture.
AQHA’s “Showing to Win: Western Pleasure” DVD is geared for all pleasure exhibitors, trainers and judges. This must-have DVD is a comprehensive look at the standards for the western pleasure class and will help improve your success in the show ring. Get your copy today!
The type of driving seen in ADS shows differs from the pleasure driving classes held as part of AQHA shows. Many of the ADS classes take place off-road, and they can feature a variety of vehicles, from the road cart that Debbie and her husband, Bob, use, to an antique road coach, pulled by a four-in-hand team.
Here are a few of the options available:
- Cones or obstacle classes require the driver to go through a set of markers set inches wider than the wheel width and topped with balls. There are left and right turns, combinations and sometimes obstacles like bridges. The winner is the driver who completes the course with the fewest balls knocked down in the shortest time. A variation called “gamblers choice” offers different types of obstacles, similar to a trail class, sometimes with fun themes like “a day at the beach,” which incorporates beach umbrellas, sand and water into the obstacles.
- Driven dressage is judged similarly to ridden dressage tests. The drivers must perform a set of movements including changes of gait, circles, turns and extensions. As in ridden dressage, the horse’s training shines through in his gaits, transitions and the accuracy with which he can follow the pattern.
- Marathons take the horse and driver from the ring to the countryside. These longer drives can go off-road or through town, and they are judged on both turnout and performance.
- Combined driving can be equated to three-day eventing, with a dressage component, a cross-country marathon and a fast-paced cones course.
Besides the competing, Debbie and Bob love taking their American Quarter Horse, Pocos Cherokee Jet, out on the trails for some recreational driving. Here’s what some other AQHA fans are up to with their horses:
– Colonels Caroline has competed in the hunter ring, as well as western pleasure, trail, reining – and now driving. “Caroline’s” owner hopes to compete in combined driving events this year.
– A Quarter Horse nicknamed “El Jefe” loves to drive over the U.S. Forest Service trails near Prescott, Arizona. He also has won year-end high point and reserve high point awards in his state.
– Mike and Jerry McLennan of Brenham, Texas, have taken their Quarter Horses and Quarter Horse crosses all over – even to Paris and back – to compete in four-in-hand combined driving. This year, they’re pointing to the 2010 World Equestrian Games. They performed a driving demonstration during WEG night at the 2009 AQHA World Championship Show in November.
– Starlight Dillon learned to drive over the course of six weeks last summer. He was originally a trail horse, then began competing in ranch horse competitions, and now his owner reports that they drive all over the neighborhood and through several hundred acres of wooded horse trails.
– Smooth Peppy Badger does mounted shooting, herds cattle – and even rides into Tombstone, Arizona, to get pets and treats from tourists. And yes, he also pulls a cart.
– Whistlin Dixi Time is a Palomino Horse Breeders of America pleasure driving world champion, and he also scored a top-10 finish at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Now, his owner reports, he has begun a conversion to all-breed pleasure driving.
If you’re interested in learning to drive, visit www.americandrivingsociety.com and click on “regions” to find a driving club near you.
“I’d love to encourage people to get their Quarter Horses driving,” Debbie says. “Horses that compete in other disciplines, (their owners) have all said driving improves their performance in other events. It kind of puts you in a unique position, too, where you can really watch your horse work and see how he’s using himself, how he’s using his back.”
Plus, “it’s a lot of fun.”
To learn more about Debbie, Bob and their horse, “Starbuck,” pick up the March-April issue of America’s Horse, the official membership magazine of the American Quarter Horse Association.
AQHA’s “Showing to Win: Western Pleasure” illustrates the standards and provides you with the information you need to be successful in the western pleasure class. Purchase your copy today!
Comments
14 Comments on “Driven to Succeed”
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March 4th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Thank you so much for writing this article and for getting the word out on people driving with their Quarter Horses! I started going to these shows a couple of years ago and I really enjoy watching and riding along with the horses as well.
March 4th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Great Article! And thank you for looking at “all breed driving” As avid drivers, it has always been our opinion here at Hitching Post Farm that for driving (or riding ” A good horse, is a good horse – is a great horse – I loved that this article did not only focus on competition, but also spoke to recreational drivers!
March 6th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I had a QH “land in my pasture” one summer and hopped on him in a totally random moment. “Realism” (Izzy) was beautifuly trained for Western Pleasre and I was a dressage person just starting to drive. We trained Izzy to drive and he took very good care of me for five years as I ventureud into showing and combined driving events. My 12 yr old son also showed him in driving classes-whistling happily as he trotted through cones courses. This horse was 100% honest and an amazing confidence booster-everyone should be so lucky as to have a solid QH as their first time driving partner. I think if I had paired up with him at a younger age (he was 17 when he learned to drive) we could have been competivie up through the ranks a bit.
Louise Calderwood
March 6th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Thank you for this great article, and for Debbie George being such a passionate advocate for these amazing horses. I have been in love with Quarter Horses my entire life and am thrilled to see them celebrated for one of their talents that is often overlooked. Keep up the great work!
March 7th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
I have showed quarter horses in ADS pleasure shows, and was always greeted with astonishment when I told people I was driving a quarter horse. People in the driving world are not familiar with what a good quarter horse can do and I always take great pleasure in showing them. I hope to see more and more quarter horses at ADS shows, both pleasure shows and combined driving; and I always wished there was a place for ADS style driving at AQHA shows, rather than just the classes which feature the horses with all kinds of self-carriage that just happen to be harnessed to a jog cart. Those are not truly driving horses.
March 10th, 2010 at 6:33 am
I absolutely love driving, I in 2000 I had my gelding trained for driving and he did very well. I even competed in AQHA shows and eventually got an award in the Limited division. Sadly my beloved horse suddenly became ill and died. As I had no place to store my show cart I sold it and my harness. I would love to go back to showing my present horse in driving but because of the economy I no longer can afford the Jerald show cart. I would dearly love if AQHA would offer a “country driving class” where exhibitors could use the lower cost EZ entry type carts. I know technically one could use this in shows now, but it creates a different image in the show ring when the other exhibitors have the show carts.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
I was so excited when I saw the cover of the latest Americas Horse. I have always loved being a spectator at the driving shows and someday I will do it. Quarter Horses are the perfect breed, because of their laid back disposition. This is an event that a person can participate in even after they are no longer able to ride. Thanks for the article.
March 11th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
I also drive a AQHA mare, HINTS ARE OBVIOUS, in CDE and pleasure shows. I also have a wonderful AQHA gelding, DOWNTOWN COOL, showing in dressage. Both horses are doing very well in their disciplines. The judges are now much more open to accepting Quarter horses and we have placed very well in open competition. I feel safe with my horses because they have such good dispositions and intelligence. I have sponsored shows and classes to encourage inclusion of the AQHA breed and am trying to spread the news that these great horses can be serious driving and dressage competitors.
March 30th, 2010 at 10:38 am
SUPER COVER AMERICAN HORSE! It’s so great to see recognition of driving as being something fun and enjoyable for these versatile horses! I still ride and drive, but my husband prefers just driving now. And Debbie did a great job describing exactly why in her article too. The driving community is great from a social perspective, whether you decide to drive competitively or just for fun. Just remember safety, safety, safety in training both you and your horse to drive. And get help with your vehicle and harness style and fit if you are new to the discipline. No one wants a preventable accident to spoil all the FUN!!!
March 30th, 2010 at 10:44 am
If you are curious about harness and carts to fit your quarter horse properly, check out http://www.wagnercarts.com Our uniquely designed carts are built by us right here in the USA. They will fit in the back of your truck or can de disassembled enough for the horse trailer. Drop me a note if you would like more information or any questions.
April 6th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I was so excited to read about driving Quarter Horses in your March-April issue of the America’s Horse Magazine! I am the equine science teacher here at WB Saul High School in Philadelphia Pennsylvania where we raise purebred registered Quarter Horses. All of our horses are trained to drive, but only a few make it up to the horse and cart stage. We have a 22 year old mare (Im a Chilly Girl) who absolutely loves to pull the cart! She really steps out when the cart is on and gives the kids a wonderful, safe ride. She has trained countless numbers of kids to drive over the last twenty years. I am also considering competing with her. Quarter Horses are great for driving!
June 27th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
I have a ten year old quarter horse; Jiggs War Hawk, “Hawk” was
my barrel horse and now he is my driving horse. He is so fun!!
He does well in dressage, but does he love the cones course! The
hazards are probably more scary to me that him; however, I have
to say the water hazards are a blast. My barrel racer friends do
not know what to think about this..We just competed in driving at a local show and won 2nd and then just for the heck of it I showed him in halter and got 2nd?! Go Quarter Horses!!
August 25th, 2010 at 4:02 am
[...] To Wanda, the 2004 Select world champion. When Ellen, whose background includes steeplechasing and eventing, purchased the pretty bay in 1998, Earth To Wanda (by Earth Station (TB) and out of Wanda Charge) [...]
May 11th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
I loved the info about pleasure driving. When I had my mare Seven April’s (Depth Charge granddaughter). We used to drive her a lot after she got up in age. After she was 28 we didn’t take her on long trail rides that much anymore. She still wanted to go though. Then we started to drive her up until she passed away at 34. she just loved to drive. I think since there isn’t that much weight to carry. she would go like a trotter on the track. It was a lot of fun. I have 2 of her grand children. I should start them. Especially since they have Little Town breeding. He was used for chariot racing too!!