What to wear?

[KellyS]

@Renae;3954072

Driving at the Appaloosa World Show http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/ThumbPage.aspx?e=4235319&g=0GNE00512Q

I’m sorry, but some of those turnouts are just scary. Running martingales pulling the horses head down, breastcollars so narrow that it totally defeats the purpose of one (to distribute the weight the horse is pulling across the chest), no breeching and no tug stops on the shafts (fine if you are only going around an arena but God forbid you have any type of downhill incline), traces that are slack because the horse is pulling off the tugs/saddle, whips left in the sockets, drivers sitting so low they can’t even see where they are going, horses heads so low that the ears are below the withers (didn’t AQHA create a rule about this?), etc.

That’s fine if that’s what you want to do, but don’t call the rest of us “uppity” for providing advice about proper turnout for pleasure driving shows run under United States Equestrian Federation and American Driving Society rules. The turnouts in those pictures would stand a good chance of being disqualified by a judge.

[shawnee_Acres]

[QUOTE=KellyS;3954179]
I’m sorry, but some of those turnouts are just scary. Running martingales pulling the horses head down, breastcollars so narrow that it totally defeats the purpose of one (to distribute the weight the horse is pulling across the chest), no breeching and no tug stops on the shafts (fine if you are only going around an arena but God forbid you have any type of downhill incline), traces that are slack because the horse is pulling off the tugs/saddle, whips left in the sockets, drivers sitting so low they can’t even see where they are going, horses heads so low that the ears are below the withers (didn’t AQHA create a rule about this?), etc.

That’s fine if that’s what you want to do, but don’t call the rest of us “uppity” for providing advice about proper turnout for pleasure driving shows run under United States Equestrian Federation and American Driving Society rules. The turnouts in those pictures would stand a good chance of being disqualified by a judge.[/QUOTE]

One thing you don’t have to worry about my hrose WILL NOT go with his head that low! Those horses in those photos look like western pleasure horses in harness and even if I show in breed shows, My horse won’t go that way. We might not win, but I won’t allow him to go like that (heck I doubt he WOULD!) Now I won’t be using a breeching as we won’t be going up and down hills, but otherwise everything will be properly adjusted etc.

[KellyS]

Good for you! And thanks for not taking any of my comments personally.

I showed AQHA growing up, and it saddens me to see how some of these horses are forced to go. It’s such a far cry from the original intention of the classes (for example, western pleasure).

[shawnee_Acres]

[QUOTE=KellyS;3954300]
Good for you! And thanks for not taking any of my comments personally.

I showed AQHA growing up, and it saddens me to see how some of these horses are forced to go. It’s such a far cry from the original intention of the classes (for example, western pleasure).[/QUOTE]

WEll my boy has a dressage/jumping background. We did breed shows when he was four year old, jsut showing in the hunter in hand (which judges either gave him first or last, depending on whether they wanted to see a "halter"horse or a true hutner type!) and we did once show in Heritage (that was his FIRST EVER under saddle class, I had taken anotehr horse to do it, and he freaked, so we threw all the stuff on Sparky and he went aroudn like a trooper!). If you don’t know what heritage is, in the App shows it is a class where you dress in some historical period in the appaloosas history, most choose native american for obviosu reasons, each part of your “costume” has to be authentic and you do a write up on each part etc. He had all kinds of stuff hanging off him! It was totally cool though (of course the ONLY time I ever rode a horse in a dress!). Other than that he hasn’t done the breed shows.

[Thomas_1]

Kelly,

I agree. Those photos scared the sh** out of me! I was thinking “what on earth” and “why on earth” then I could see that the horse had it’s head through it’s legs and up it’s backside because it was tied there or most likely because the poor sod had been ‘trained’ that way by awful ridden technique. And that harness!!!

You know I just keep getting all “uppity” when it comes to safety and horse welfare.

Sounds like the OP is giving this thought and having a look at what happens in advance of giving it a go.

Personally speaking I’d never drive with pneumatic tyres and wire spokes so IMO if you’ve an option, then you’re wise choosing it.

Is a lap robe what we call a travel rug? Or is it just another name for an apron? Sorry but I speak English and we’re divided by a common language (as well as being all uppity and having opinions of course :winkgrin: )

[SmokenMirrors]

Yes, carriage pleasure driving folk get uppity about people showing up with Houton/Jerald type carts, even when they have wooden wheels, but this type of cart is the normal thing at breed shows.

Does this mean that I too am uppity since I show with wooden wheels and drive in pleasure cart classes??? Wow…Thomas…may I come join you on the uppity seat?? Perhaps we can have a cup o` tea too while were at it…

[Thomas_1]

I was thinking more of a single malt whiskey. But then I’m obviously VERY uppity!

By the way, here uppity means someone who is not happy to stay in their place. It has racial connotations! I’m presuming though that there it means something different and Renae meant a different insult! But the insult was lost on me and seemingingly you too!!

[SmokenMirrors]

[QUOTE=Thomas_1;3955136]
I was thinking more of a single malt whiskey. But then I’m obviously VERY uppity!

By the way, here uppity means someone who is not happy to stay in their place. It has racial connotations! I’m presuming though that there it means something different and Renae meant a different insult! But the insult was lost on me and seemingingly you too!![/QUOTE]

Well…here…it means:

adj. Informal.

Taking liberties or assuming airs beyond one’s station; presumptuous: “was getting a little uppity and needed to be slapped down” (New York Times).

[From UP.]
uppityness up’pi·ty·ness n.

OR

uppity
One entry found.

Main Entry:
up·pi·ty Listen to the pronunciation of uppity
Pronunciation:
\ˈə-pə-tē\
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
probably from up + -ity (as in persnickity, variant of persnickety)
Date:
1880

: putting on or marked by airs of superiority : arrogant , presumptuous <uppity technicians> <a small uppity country>
— up·pi·ti·ness also up·pi·ty·ness noun

So Thomas…how do you take that single malt whiskey and what brand do you prefer?

[Thomas_1]

Neat. In a crystal tumbler. Laphroaig

Only the best Uppity yuppity doo

[Quelah]

Belplosh,

Is that Foxhunter’s old cart? I have her harness!

[SmokenMirrors]

Yes…it is. I was VERY fortunate to be able to buy it from her. I think it looks smashing on Smoke…Where do you live? And how does the harness fit for you and your draft?

[KellyS]

I feel there is an “Uppity Drivers Unite” clique in the making.

[goodhors]

We were told that Laprobes are more a blanket. No straps or strings to put it on with. Carried folded on Coaches and all the folks on a seat can share the robe for warmth. Some coaches have smaller laprobes for each passenger on the back seats, instead of single large laprobes.

Some carriages for family use, have metal buttons on the ironwork around seat, so you can put the edge or tabs over the button. This helps hold the single laprobe in place, across all the seated passengers.

Aprons have fasteners, so they are worn by individuals. Aprons might be worn on private Coaches by the Driver and front seat person. Usually matching, in that case, often in the “colors” of the owner.

[Thomas_1]

Laprobes = Travel rugs

That’s what I thought you might mean… just checking.

My formal carriages/coaches all have them. I’ve also got some original hot water bottles that you’d put on your knee under the travel rug to help keep warmer.

[Quelah]

[QUOTE=Belplosh;3955689]
Yes…it is. I was VERY fortunate to be able to buy it from her. I think it looks smashing on Smoke…Where do you live? And how does the harness fit for you and your draft?[/QUOTE]

I’m in California. The harness fits quite nicely, my guy is a LOT smaller than Foxhunter’s big blond guy, but he’s stout (older type Shire). I really like the harness, it took a whole lot of oiling to get some of the straps bendable, but it is bar none the nicest harness I’ve seen for the money. I also had the good fortune that it has some of Foxhunter’s clever “after market” modifications (like rein spreaders) that I’m new enough to driving that I wouldn’t have thought to do.

There are a lot of things about the harness (like the down straps on the breeching) that when someday I have a nice harness made, I’ll take a picture of and say “do it like this”. Just those little touches that set you apart, you know?

[system]

Hi Shawnee, I was very happy to stumble across this post. I know just the shows you’re talking about - East Coast (east-coast-horses.com). I started driving in them last year (I work in the office as well). I did exactly the same thing you’re thinking of. I bought a Jerald cart that will let me do these open shows as well as APHA breed shows. The cart you’re looking at will be perfectly fine for these shows, spoke wheels and all. We have everthing from saddlebreds, to hackneys, stock breeds with “Jerald type” carts and several folks with “real” carriages. It’s actually a very congenial group of folks that all get along and manage to show all these different types together and still have a good time. The main change from your breed rules will be having to carry a whip as they do enforce that rule. I don’t bother with the apron, nor do any of the others showing in the jerald style carts. While they do “technically” go by USEF rules they’re rather loosly followed since the classes are small and it is an open show. You won’t be DQ’d from one of their shows over attire. Wear a hat, blouse, gloves & long sleeved shirt and slacks and you’ll be fine. All my attire came off ebay.

Someday I hope to have the money for one of those stunnning carriages and perfect turnout. but for many (like me) the jerald style cart + open shows is a inexpensive learning grounds. My gelding is home trained and my first driving horse. He’s no where near perfect and I’m sure my turnout and cart could be picked apart…but I had an absolut blast last year and can’t wait for the first show this season. That’s all that really matters

As for the East Coast shows, you may know that they’re cutting their format quite a bit this year. So far they’ve kept driving, but we need all the numbers we can get to ensure that they continue to leave the division in their shows. I really hope you can start driving with us this year!

There are lots of videos from these shows on you tube. Just go there and search for tinafarmer (one word). You’ll see the videos we put up from last year - just scroll through to find the driving classes. The almost white paint is mine.