I have been looking at the Sprint Cart by Frey Carriage Company. I would like to get opinions, pro & con about this cart. I will use it for a small medium pony. Thank you…:0)
I see them all the time on FB, I’ve got Frey Carriage Company liked, so they post some for sale from time to time. I think they’re very pretty, but I have no experience with seeing one live and in person. I’ve heard great things about those carts in particular, and about Frey CC as a whole.
Thank you. :0)
Sprint Carts
I have two friends who drive Sprint carts. One drives a mini and the other a Fjord. Both are very happy with them.
You might get hold of Dennis Yancho, he drives a Sprint cart, and is “fairly” local to you. They seem to be very nice vehicles, well constructed, with the easy “take apart, put together” features for fitting in small spaces to haul.
I think they are pretty attractive to look at as well. Dennis has had his over a year now, uses it often, so should be able to tell you about them. He drives large ponies with his Sprint cart.
Raises hand, I have one! I ordered mine with the nerf bar dash and marathon shafts, as well as the patent fenders and patent dash for show.
I’m 5’3, but my height is in my legs, very short torso, my biggest complaint is that i wish the seat was a little closer to the floor. This is not something you can adjust. You can lower the box, but this lowers the entire box, so that’s not helpful… You can get the floor riser piece, i just didnt think i would need it. I’m ok with it, i’ve just seen other women that also look about at their leg limit driving them, so it’s something to keep in mind.
I have also completely taken mine apart, wrapped it up in blankets, and stuck it in a single stall of the trailer. However, it’s not exactly “easy” and not something i would want to do on a regular basis, i just did this to move IL to SC and had a pretty loaded trailer.
I love how light it is, my mare really doesnt feel it back there and i bought it for that reason as she tore her anullar ligament spring of 2011, after 10 months of healing the thing, i didnt want to shred it driving a heavier vehicle. I previously had a Bennington Buccaneer which weighed in closer to 400lbs. It had torsion springs, i have to admit that thing rode SOOOOO nice, the Sprint is not so nice. It will bounce you off the seat, while i’ve driven rougher riding vehicles, i would not say this is smoothest ride out there, maybe average.
It’s very adjustable to suit many horses, but dont go thinking this is something you can adjust between horses every day, cause you’ll pull your hair out. Mine is the large pony which i’ve used on a 13h pony, but it was big, balanced, but big, it’s better suited for my 14h pony however, this is with everything set on it’s lowest setting and the shafts in most all the way for her… I think that large pony would suit up to 16h.
Something else, the width of the shafts might be too wide depending on what you are driving. I have my shafts rotated in almost all the way to fit my 14h welsh cob. This is not the most narrow of ponies, but isnt a chunky hafflinger either. However, for the 13h pony who was narrow, this was ridiculous. The shafts were rotated in till they were flat and i still had 8" of air between pony and shaft. It was not ideal whatsoever and was only hitched to her twice.
It’s made VERY well, i can not fault the craftsmanship. I worked with Rebecca at Frey in ordering it. I will say there seemed to be a lot of confusion with the ordering process. They repeatedly forgot i had ordered the patent fenders and i did not actually receive them till 4 months after i picked up my carriage and was actually told i was supposed to pay more even though i had everything on my invoice, and in a very damaged box with no padding/stuffing. I was horrified they might have been damaged, but they were ok. There is a notible difference between the work of my patent dash which was made by Sprint and my patent fenders which were contracted out to Hunts Harness. What i’m mostly sad about is that i really wish i had gotten the Hunt’s done dash as they changed the design and the new taller/curved dash is really lovely.
So word of advice, if you are buying new from Frey, keep your invoice to verify against in case there should be any comunication issues down the road. I had saved all my emails as well, which came in handy. 
If you are close enough to go to Frey’s show room, do so! It is simply fantastic.
I give the Sprint a thumbs up. Yes, some things erk me, i think any vehicle i bought was going to have something that would though… :lol: Overall though, i’m very happy with it and actually after driving it a couple months, i sold my Kuhnle marathon carriage because it just didnt compare anymore. If the Sprint would ride like that Bennington, i would be in heaven.
Hope that helps. 
FYI, i ordered mine blind, i didnt have anyone nearby to look at it and Frey was a 5hr drive one way, while i did pick it up in person, making an additional trip up to look at one first just wasnt really an option. However, if i had seen one and driven one first, i still would have bought one.
If i had the option, i might have liked the suspension of the Pacific training cart better however. I had someone really talk me out of the air ride of that and the additional cost/shipping at the time for me killed the deal, but if i had it to do over, i might consider a Pacific first.
Here is a pic of my 14h mare put to the Sprint: https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/533898_10150892774977659_1990658847_n.jpg
Wow, tons of information. Thanks to all of you and I am pretty sure
that I will be ordering one. Goodhors, any idea of how I can contact
Dennis Yancho? I see you live in MI also. Are you a member of the
Metamora Driving? I am new to driving and would love to meet more
people in the area that drive. Butlerfamilyzoo, your mare is gorgeous
and I like the cart. The gelding that I will use is a Black Forest
Horse. I don’t know if you are familiar with this breed but they are
like a small draft. Most are liver chestnut with a white or cream
colored mane and tail. The mane stays long and full. The first time I
saw one I immediately thought of Tina Turner! The shafts being wider
on this cart would be an asset for him. I will try to upload a pic of
him. Thanks again everyone!
sprint
I too have a Sprint cart and they are being seen more and more, even in ADS. They are well designed and made. Todd knows his stuff, is adding new and improved features all the time, check out the new designs and colors. Some nice adjustment features, seat and shafts make for a custom look.
Check out the website and get on the e-mail list…sometime some nice trade ins are available.
Looks like a great carriage. I teach therapeutic driving in NJ with a Pacific Carriage and a Haflinger. Have a 40" small pony ready to join the program-since a not for profit and need donations, the Sprint is $1000.00 more than Todd’s Rebel.
Was going to order the Rebel in small pony, since more veratile and the pony not really a mini.
Thoughts?
[QUOTE=butlerfamilyzoo;6585905]
Raises hand, I have one! I ordered mine with the nerf bar dash and marathon shafts, as well as the patent fenders and patent dash for show.
I’m 5’3, but my height is in my legs, very short torso, my biggest complaint is that i wish the seat was a little closer to the floor. This is not something you can adjust. You can lower the box, but this lowers the entire box, so that’s not helpful… You can get the floor riser piece, i just didnt think i would need it. I’m ok with it, i’ve just seen other women that also look about at their leg limit driving them, so it’s something to keep in mind.
I have also completely taken mine apart, wrapped it up in blankets, and stuck it in a single stall of the trailer. However, it’s not exactly “easy” and not something i would want to do on a regular basis, i just did this to move IL to SC and had a pretty loaded trailer.
I love how light it is, my mare really doesnt feel it back there and i bought it for that reason as she tore her anullar ligament spring of 2011, after 10 months of healing the thing, i didnt want to shred it driving a heavier vehicle. I previously had a Bennington Buccaneer which weighed in closer to 400lbs. It had torsion springs, i have to admit that thing rode SOOOOO nice, the Sprint is not so nice. It will bounce you off the seat, while i’ve driven rougher riding vehicles, i would not say this is smoothest ride out there, maybe average.
It’s very adjustable to suit many horses, but dont go thinking this is something you can adjust between horses every day, cause you’ll pull your hair out. Mine is the large pony which i’ve used on a 13h pony, but it was big, balanced, but big, it’s better suited for my 14h pony however, this is with everything set on it’s lowest setting and the shafts in most all the way for her… I think that large pony would suit up to 16h.
Something else, the width of the shafts might be too wide depending on what you are driving. I have my shafts rotated in almost all the way to fit my 14h welsh cob. This is not the most narrow of ponies, but isnt a chunky hafflinger either. However, for the 13h pony who was narrow, this was ridiculous. The shafts were rotated in till they were flat and i still had 8" of air between pony and shaft. It was not ideal whatsoever and was only hitched to her twice.
It’s made VERY well, i can not fault the craftsmanship. I worked with Rebecca at Frey in ordering it. I will say there seemed to be a lot of confusion with the ordering process. They repeatedly forgot i had ordered the patent fenders and i did not actually receive them till 4 months after i picked up my carriage and was actually told i was supposed to pay more even though i had everything on my invoice, and in a very damaged box with no padding/stuffing. I was horrified they might have been damaged, but they were ok. There is a notible difference between the work of my patent dash which was made by Sprint and my patent fenders which were contracted out to Hunts Harness. What i’m mostly sad about is that i really wish i had gotten the Hunt’s done dash as they changed the design and the new taller/curved dash is really lovely.
So word of advice, if you are buying new from Frey, keep your invoice to verify against in case there should be any comunication issues down the road. I had saved all my emails as well, which came in handy.
If you are close enough to go to Frey’s show room, do so! It is simply fantastic.
I give the Sprint a thumbs up. Yes, some things erk me, i think any vehicle i bought was going to have something that would though… :lol: Overall though, i’m very happy with it and actually after driving it a couple months, i sold my Kuhnle marathon carriage because it just didnt compare anymore. If the Sprint would ride like that Bennington, i would be in heaven.
Hope that helps. FYI, i ordered mine blind, i didnt have anyone nearby to look at it and Frey was a 5hr drive one way, while i did pick it up in person, making an additional trip up to look at one first just wasnt really an option. However, if i had seen one and driven one first, i still would have bought one.
If i had the option, i might have liked the suspension of the Pacific training cart better however. I had someone really talk me out of the air ride of that and the additional cost/shipping at the time for me killed the deal, but if i had it to do over, i might consider a Pacific first.
Here is a pic of my 14h mare put to the Sprint: https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/533898_10150892774977659_1990658847_n.jpg[/QUOTE]
I had This is a pretty accurate review. The best part about the sprint is taking the shafts off to haul if space is limited. I have a wide body horse and also had shafts rotated far in and had much room. I think they may have 2 widths. Or they had a narrow width and some horse were to wide and maybe they widened them all. They really need one possibly in between for a better fit. There powder coating has had some problems also.
I’ll be moving to MI in about 3-4 months
[QUOTE=Brynn;8600641]
I’ll be moving to MI in about 3-4 months :)[/QUOTE]
We have some fun driving activities here in MI! Where in the state will you be located? Not a lot of light horse things happening north of Lansing except Trail Driving. There are a number of Draft horse activities up there though and i hear they are quite friendly folks!
Holler when you get here, maybe we can connect or give you names of driving folks near you to meet.
The fiance is working for a private farm with coaching horses. I will be officially moving there in the next few months. We will be in the Metamora area. Ill actually be going there this weekend
My girl, Bridget, will not only be a driving horse, but an “everything and anything I can convince her to do” kind of horse! HA!
My ultimate goal, well I have 2 - One is a random with my mare in the wheel, her sister as the swing and my pony in the lead! They are all greys! It would be a funny sight! My other BIG goal, is to ride my girl side saddle while tandem driving her sister and jumping. BIG goal, but damnit, I’m going to try! LOL!
Following, I also have a 39 inch pony.
I bet a nickel I know who you will be working for! We are not in Metamora, but go there often for the Driving activities. We should run into each other once you get relocated. Lots of great places to ride or drive, great help to reach your goals, in Metamora. Skilled trainers to get lessons with too, so you can refine things to allow horses to better work with you. You are really going to like the area.
Well, I won’t be working for him, but the fiance already is
I’m sure you do know who it is. He has been around for a while. Nice people. It reminds me a lot of the VA area I was living in for a while. I’m excited!
![https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/533898_10150892774977659_1990658847_n.jpg[/QUOTE]](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/533898_10150892774977659_1990658847_n.jpg%5B/QUOTE%5D){kind=link}