So I have not driven for many years, and back then it was an old pony and governess cart. A client of mine has percherons, and mentioned they were looking for a lady driver and was I interested? I would obviously need lessons and lots of help if I take him up on his offer but I am very tempted! What do I need to think about besides the steep learning curve? Very preliminary musings here…
Depends on what kind of show they have in mind.
For an ADS-type show you would dress the same as for your pony & cart: Long-sleeved blouse or jacket, hat, apron & gloves. A bit of sparkle can be added for the “fun” classes: Gambler’s Choice, Obstacles, etc.
For a Draft show I’ve seen the High School Prom type of dress - strapless, glitzy materials, (IMHO)waaay too short - on the Ladies to Drive, along with hat, no gloves.
Agree with 2dogs, you have to know what kind of show, to dress suitably. Breed shows, County Fairs, or open, local shows with driving classes, will call for different outfits. Guys clothes seem to be the same as 30 years ago, but not ladies attire. Can you get a breed magazine or draft horse magazine, so you can study the photos of winners, the farm ads of winners? I think they would show you the current “look” of ladies attire for the show ring. Current Utube videos?
Prom dresses were “it” 20 years ago, did not think they were still a current choice. Gloves are also a question, protective, but what kind and is there actual glove use in draft classes? White gloves are a bad choice, along with any grippy cloth, so far as I know. Tan is the most common color leather in other driving competitions.
Get reins narrow enough to fit your hands, not the very wide “men’s rein” width you can’t hold comfortably. And put the reins in the slot that lets you KEEP CONTROL of the horse! Do not let them put reins on the ring “because he is a ladies horse” if you can’t slow or stop as requested of the horse!! That is not pretty to see and is exhausting trying to hold a big mover back at all. Wear grippy soled shoes, no heels or pump styles to hurt you climbing in or out of, tall carts.
That is about all I can offer about ladies driving show drafts.
It depends on the level of competition and type. The draft lady’s cart classes run the gamut from conservative ADS-approved dress to gaudy sparkly strapless gowns.
I haven’t seen slotted reins on draft horses like they do with saddlebreds or hackneys. Some of the hitch-trained horses are heavy on the reins, but others (we owned one a couple years) have power steering and they will trot FOREVER. Asking big hitch trained horses to walk can be a bit laughable. I don’t think the judges really look for then to break the trot, just that they slow down a bit before being asked to carry on again.
You might hold a whip, but the draft crew aren’t big on actually using them. The carts are usually high-wheeled deals and can be interesting to get into. Not exactly easy entry!
Have fun!
