RAR - If you start simple - like an inexpensive harness with a breast collar - you can get your training underway and then start planning for the neck collar. You really need to have your pony driving, have the carriage, etc. The neck collar can come last. No hurry. Have you found a place that can sell you a nice, inexpensive, yet good quality harness? Have you started hat shopping yet? That’s very important and you should start now. You need not one, not two, but perhaps three or five or perhaps a whole closet full of hats - one for any and all driving occasion and/or season. Hat shopping, and wearing said hats on all carriage drives and outings, rates mega high on my list!
Gail is adorable!!! She has the sweetest look! And how much fun you had on the drive seeing how responsive and smooth driving can be with a good horse in the shafts. 
bfz - I’m the Queen of taming unruly pony manes! I feel your pain - thick pony mohawks are enough to make one wring one’s hands and cry unconsolable tears of anguish. My only solution - that I ever found that really worked - in going from mohawk to hunter is: tiny bits of mane pulled from the underside every.single.day. Or use a mane blade underneath right at the crest. Every day, without fail.On the really hard-core long flowing wild manes I employ those razor blade mane combs using a feathering technique to shorten the upper hairs. Then use a pulling comb to thin out the underneath. When you have 4 to do (1 retired) - and two HAVE to be foxhunter short because you, well, foxhunt - AND having your own groom is someone else’s luxury, not yours - shortcuts that work, and mimic the classic pulled mane, can be your friend! Sadly, I’ve never found the training braids to work on anything other than a thin mane! Have fun at the NC show!
