[QUOTE=goodhors;7273836]
Guess I will be the voice of dissent, with the linked vehicles not all being gigs. There is some similarity to OPs cart, shown in the seat having no box under it, straight shafts, various seat backs with rails and spindles, but a number of them are NOT gigs to begin with! They are just similar vehicles turned out nicely. Definitely would call a couple of them Road Carts, with the spring under seat on the axle, or other details. These are Road Carts:
http://www.leroypennysavernews.com/LynneBelluscioArticles/Images/Horse_Show.jpg
http://www.swphotography.co/Equestrian/Carriage-Driving-shows/2012-Bucks-County-Horse-Park/i-n9BWNwK/2/L/20120610_092729-L.jpg
They are lightweight, straight shafted, simple springs, with an open style of construction which makes it easy to fix or repair. Seat height is lower than the Gig seating, though not real low, and riding on the shafts or spring directly under seat fastened to the axle. Both nicely turned out, but they are not Gigs.
These are what I would call Gigs:
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/man-driving-horse-carriage-11012841.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QPBMDYXvMW4/TKtJqzRlrkI/AAAAAAAAAYk/RkxKLXjKcM8/s1600/AthletePecos.JPG
http://www.jamicostud.com/RB/RB%20Essex%20Show.jpg
Above vehicles have a boxy shape body, the curved or gig shafts with more hook to them. Better ride with more elaborate spring systems. Not similar to OPs vehicle. They are more formal vehicles, shown here with the correct harness using the wide Gig Saddles, full collars, no breeching showing, because a Gig uses a false breeching strap between the shafts, behind the horse. One horse I would mark down because he is using a breast collar. Gigs are usually weighty, so the full collar is more suitable. Driver and passengers are dressed in suits, have NICE hats, more formal in style of their clothing.
And I am going to let this one be a Gig by it’s spring system, which is more complicated than the springs of OPs cart. Gig saddle and full collar on the pony harness, though not using false breeching as all the other Gig photos have.
http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/resources/images/2093730.jpg?type=gallery
I would not call the OPs vehicle a true Road Cart, because of the solid structure of the body. It is a nice looking cart, a bit of a mix of various styles, but a pleasing design overall. I would just go with it being an Easy Entry Cart with no specific name unless you can find the maker name. Shafts curve down under seat for front entry, has steps in front of the wheels, which is a trademark for the EE cart styles. It has no boxy body under or around the seat, no curved shafts with a more elaborate spring system to ease the ride. Doesn’t look the least heavy like gigs can be, so easy on the horse too.
On refinishing, I would suggest going for paint instead of stain. Most painted vehicles do not have the same kind of wood thru out, so grains don’t match if you can see them. Paint makes all the woods look the same. Paint can make a horse the “star” of the outfit as you go in front of the Judge by cart being a neutral the horse contrasts with. The gig pictures have various colored horses with dark vehicles, so the horse is what you see.
I would not try to match my horse, with vehicle color. I would worry about you being a big reddish blur way out in the ring with any distance from the Judge. Too matchy. Then if horse should change color, get sunburned, he might clash with vehicle! Sorry, I know that is not what you wanted to hear. I know several folks who did their “dream colors” on a vehicle put to the perfect horse, and then were horrified to see the show photos that had them as a big blur on the rail. No contrasts way out there. Sure different than how it looked up close with lovely contasting pinstripe and outfit!! They ended up repainting AGAIN so they didn’t disappear when on the rail or driving a Dressage test.
Lovely pinstriping can help set off the dark color (Welsh with top hatted driver) of horse and gig, but not overpower horse or Driver clothing. These appear to be UK photos, so clothing is mostly dark, even on the ladies. A light laprobe to go on a gentleman’s turnout, could be the neutral contrast for dark vehicle, dark suit. Tie to match the pinstripe.
If you like to be a bit more formal in clothing with the painted EE cart, you could go with navy blazer, tan pants, tan laprobe, your brown boots, wear the bowler hat. DO get the brim of bowler shaped, so it has some “style” to it. Not quite the deep dip front and back of the Saddlebred girls, but not flat on the bottom either.
I hate to disagree with Chewy, but russet harness is most correct in a stained vehicle with BROWN hardware, not ever used on a painted vehicle. Also vests only over the shirt, are only proper show attire on ladies. I am not sure what a “long sleeved vest” is, sounds like a coat to me. Probably NOT correct for a gentleman. Gentlemen always wear rather tailored jackets, nothing loose fitting.
My husband usually wears a brown jacket, when he shows. Goes well with our Bay horses and painted vehicle. Tan or gray laprobe, depending on his trousers color. Brown Fedora hat since our outfit is Informal, with less formal style vehicles.[/QUOTE]ok I am going to weigh in on this one. The Morgan with the breastcollar is correct for that vehicle because it is not axle draft and the swingle tree is higher. With a neck collar the angle would be incorrect.
. The other thing it is not a gig saddle nor does it have a sliding back band.i can’t look at photo while posting but I know the gig is small for this horse and shafts are lower than they should be. If correct height the shafts would also hit the collar if my memory serves me.
Op with your pony I would rather see a painted more formal vehicle than stained. I also think it would be easier to repaint then to try and get all cleaned for a stain. Also Celine at carriage driving essentials in CA is very knowledgeable on vehicles and turnouts. I think for 75.09 she will give you an accurate consult on what you have and how to redo it properly but definitely not a gig.
