DDC Driving Lines August 2012
Transcription
DDC Driving Lines August 2012
DDC Driving Lines August 2012 DDC Meeting Schedule August 18 Luncheon and quick member meeting after the tour (Remember.. You MUST RSVP so we can plan for lunch!!!!) Inside This Issue: Upcoming DDC Events: -August 18 Luncheon and Museum Tour , Georgetown, DE. Frances at (302) 381-2979 -September 23 Grassymeade Drive, Black Jack Run. Chestertown, MD -October 6 Anne Councill Clinic, Harrington, DE September 5 BOD meeting conference call 6:00 pm Call in # 877-216-1555 Pw # 290535 October 3 BOD conference call 6:00 pm Call in # 877-216-1555 Pw # 290535 Mount Hope Pleasure Drive with Barb Belden and the Hewes July 2012 Newsletter Contributors Contributors: Pao Lin Hatch, Sherry Harris, Jane Ramsey, Jackie McCann, Martha MacDonald, Martie Bolinski, Carl Zimmerman, Barbara Belden, Anne Councill, Frances Baker DDC Driving Lines Inside this issue: Meeting Schedule—p 1 Upcoming DDC Events—p 1 BOD Meeting Minutes —p 2 DDC Treasurer’s Rpt—p 2 Fair Hill Drive—p 3 Anne Councill Clinic—p 3 Sunshine news—p 4 DDC Secretary Help Wanted—p 4 Out and About News —p 4 Safe Driving Column—p 4 A Day with Muffy Seaton —p 5 Nutter Museum Luncheon Flyer—p 7 Advertisers — p 8 DDC Calendar—p 9 DDC Classifieds—p 9 At a future DDC event, older videos from the DDC library will be given away to DDC members as DVD's have been created for future use. In New Business, the Anne Councill clinic is in place. DDC members will pay $25 and non-members will be asked for $50. DDC member Sharon Little will provide housing for Ms. Council and will be given one slot for her generosity. Auditors will be free and asked to bring their own lunch. DDC will provide cold drinks for everyone and lunch for Ms Councill. The event is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2012 at Sharon Little's farm in Delaware. Sherry Harris will write an article asking members who wish to participate to outline what they wish to learn while working with Anne Councill. Ms Councill’s experience runs from pleasure drives, showing and combined driving events so drivers at all levels can learn something from her. Martha MacDonald announced that she was moving to South Carolina and a new secretary would be needed for the December ballot. Anyone interested in learning more about the responsibilities should contact Martha. Meeting adjourned at 6:48PM Respectfully submitted. Martha MacDonald Delmarva Driving Club Board of Directors' June 2012 Meeting Minutes The July 11 BOD meeting commenced at 6PM. Present: Sherry Harris, Donna Hurst, Jane Ramsey, Jackie McCann, Pao Lin Hatch, Martha MacDonald. Absent:Joan Smith The secretary's minutes were accepted as published. The treasurer's report was accepted as published. In Old Business, Michael Lawrence's drive was reviewed with great success though with a smaller turn out than in the past. The heat of the weekend caused most drivers to arrive early, then took their horses home and returned for the dinner. Michael graciously made stalls available for those who wished to stay. At this time there are no reservations for the Fair Hill drive but it is expected that most drivers are waiting to see what the summer offers in terms of temperatures after the high heat of late June. The August luncheon at the Nutter Marvel Museum is already gathering reservations. DDC will commit to 20 attendees for the auxiliary to plan for lunches. However, members planning to attend need to let Frances Baker know soon if they plan to attend so sufficient lunches will be prepared. Mrs. Baker already has 10 reservations and will be sending a flyer to those who do not receive electronic newsletters. Pao Lin Hatch will send out an electronic reminder to those who receive DDC emails. The question was raised of what liability is covered by DDC insurance. Basically, if DDC or its volunteers are responsible for an accident, our insurance covers DDC, its officers and volunteers. But, individuals need to remember to carry their own liability policy when taking their horses off their farm. For example, if your horse bolts and crashes into another car or trailer, you would be responsible for the damage, not the DDC. A future article will address this issue in our newsletter. Delmarva Driving Club DDC’s Treasurer’s Report Beginning Balance – 06/22/12 $2,660.23 Deposits: Expenses: Newsletter 31.16 Postage 11.00 Glen Willow CDE Contribution 25.00 Show Expenses: Stall Rental Fee 100.00 Total Show Expenses 100.00 Total Expenses $ 167.16 Ending Balance – 07/25/12 $2,493.07 Savings Account 1,298.45 CD Balance 7,717.11 Total Cash Available $11,508.63 Page 3 DDC Driving Lines Anne Council’s Driving Clinic October 6 Saturday Larry and Sharon Little Farm 4978 Park Brown Road Harrington DE 19952 DDC, Sharon and Larry Little and Anne Councill proudly announce a offered exclusively to DDC members and their guests on Oct 6, 2012 Saturday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date: Oct 6 Saturday Time: Private 50 minute sessions with Anne beginning at 8 am BYO Brown Bag lunch and discussion with Anne at noon; DDC will provide cold beverages. Cost: $25 DDC; $50 non-members; Auditors free ONLY 2-3 SLOTS LEFT AT THIS TIME CALL AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW! Contact Pao Lin at 240 274 6180 or [email protected] Anne Councill began her horse career breeding and showing Morgans when she was 14 years old. In the early eighties she made a change from breed activities to open competition in driving and dressage and has never looked back. She has competed successfully at the Advanced Level in combined driving and has trained and shown a succession of horses in combined driving, pleasure and dressage. She calls dressage a lifelong challenge and actively pursues both her own education and teaching dressage and driving to others. She is an ADS "r" combined driving and dressage judge. FAIR HILL ‘WATERMELLON’ DRIVE After nearly 6 weeks of unbearably hot weather, a front came through, dropping rain in the mid-Delmarva area but leaving Fair Hill NRMA literally high and dry. So when Pam Kister with Scott McKeand, Pao Lin Hatch with Susanne Hogan, Joan Smith, Martha MacDonald and Pam's friends Jennifer and Faith gathered for a ride/drive, the weather was perfect....low 70's, cloudy, light breeze. The horses were fresh and ready to trot and the trails were clear and mostly dry. There were a couple of places where a trickle of water crossed the trail and Trudy (one of Pao Lin's pair) took extreme exception to being asked to step over. Otherwise the horses did brilliantly and seemed to enjoy the day out. When horses and carts were taken care of, the usual DDC buffet appeared and happy drivers and friends spent an extra hour sharing stories and good food. Finally the sun came out along with the horse flies so everyone loaded up and headed home. Thanks to everyone who brought goodies to share and good company on the trail. Page 4 DDC Driving Lines SUNSHINE NEWS Chris Bailey is recovering from a health scare. Pam Kister recently lost her corgie to an unfortunate accident. Delaware Equine Council meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Harrington, DE Public Library. Special meeting locations may vary. For more information check http://www.delawareequ inecouncil.com Or phone Stan 302-6843966 Out and About News On June 10, Worthmore Equestrian Center in Worton, MD held one of more ingenious fun competitions to benefit therapeutic riding in the mid-Atlantic region. An obstacle course was set up for riders and drivers to challenge themselves over obstacles and perform tasks within a reasonable time limit. DDC member Karen Mack was coordinating with the Tuckahoe Youth Group who provided goodies to purchase. Congratulations and best wishes to the following DDC members who are moving up and out of our region and our hearts… Carl Zimmerman and his wife, Laura are moving north upon his retirement to start a new life and a fabulous future in upstate New York. DDC Secretary Martha MacDonald and all her 4 legged partners are moving south to start a new chapter in her life in the Aiken area, South Carolina. Best of luck to all of you! Congratulations go to Pam and Steve Gray on the addition to their family.. A new trusty 10 year old Percheron gelding who rides and drives!!! DDC members Frances Baker and Joan Smith will be enjoying the American Driving Society (ADS) Mid-Atlantic Weekend on August 3-5 at Fair Hill NMRA. Frances donated a basket of goodies from the DDC to be auctioned off at the silent auction to benefit FH trails. THANK YOU FRANCES!!!!! Safe Driving Column by Martha MacDonald Spares kit for your truck and trailer We've covered a lot of topics suggesting the spares 2013 Calendars.. you need in your cart but have you prepared your Contributors wanted!! Martie B says she is ready to start truck and trailer for travel? This is going to be a fairly on the 2013 DDC calendar and need your photos. I would like the exhaustive list. You should theme to be "driving" this year, so pick and choose dependif you have some favorite photos ing on how 'hands on' you intend to be. of you and your equine friend driving, I'd love to see them. I am To start, your spares kit should include a cell hoping to get pics of different phone, flash light and types of carts/carriages/ gloves to be able to evaluimplements this year. I need a ate the issue, protect your minimum of 14 paintings to do a hands and call for help if calendar. Send her pics!!! Please you need it. A membership send me some to work on. in US Rider* may be your Calendars will be 12 month, 8.5 x best purchase as they not 11 with 'comb' binding (same as only cover your truck and last year) and will sell for $14. trailer but your car, offer Profits from the calendar sales discounts for hotels and are donated to DDC. more. They'll even haul your horses and trailer to a Paintings done for the calendar safe barn if you've blown will go on sale afterward for $25 the engine of your truck! each. Martie Bolinski As far as tools, another 410-398-0257 best bet is a Trailer Aid, a [email protected] ramp like piece that allows you to roll the good trailer tire up into a cupped section, taking the flat tire off the ground without a jack for easy removal. It also serves as a chock if you have to park on a hill. Lacking that, have a good jack (and be sure to learn how to use it). Flares are useful but involve flame and a limited lifespan. Instead, invest in those collapsible reflective triangles you see the truckers use. They are always ready for use and easy to store. In a pinch, a can of tire inflator may get you to a service station where someone can give you help. Be sure to have a good tire iron to remove those lugnuts. Additional good things to have include jumper cables for when you accidently left the headlights on, a tire gauge, phillips head and flat head screwdrivers with long handles to give you some me- chanical advantage and maybe an ice scraper for those sudden Autumn storms. Finally a first aid kit for those scraped knuckles when you didn't use the gloves and perhaps a poncho if you are stuck in a bad rain. After this, pack what you most want to have if stranded for a few hours....snack bars, bottled water, toilet paper, papertowels and anything else you don't already have in the tackroom. Safely in your corner Martha MacDonald *Thanks to Darlene Logan for the information about US Rider. If you mention her name when you enroll, she gets a gift. Page 5 DDC Driving Lines A Day with Muffy Seaton by Martha MacDonald OK...it was probably the hottest weekend of the summer and I was scheduled for a 2PM lesson. Am I nuts? Apparently and Muffy called to cancel. I had missed the call but had the foresight to call her to chat. We agreed on an 8:30AM lesson on Saturday so I used the afternoon to visit employees of my company at the local hospital and did some exploring around the Aiken, SC area. Saturday morning I sneaked out so as not to wake my host and figured on a 45 minute drive I'd find a Dunkin Donuts, Wawa, Seven-11, Shoney's, Stuckey's, something. On state roads all the way I was 3 minutes from my destination before I found a Shell gas station with a market and managed a cup of coffee and a banana muffin. The place seems to be a wasteland in my mind!! This is definitely an opportunity for franchises! Got to Muffy's nearly half an hour early so was sitting in the truck, listening to music, eating my muffin when Muffy knocked on the window and asked if I was ready? Well, of course. Then she asked....could I walk? Now that is a heck of a question. But it was already 83 degrees at 8AM so it was a valid question. I said yes so she said, let's go after you finish your muffin. I ditched the muffin, grabbed a water bottle and headed to her barn where she pulled out her internationally successful Dartmoor pony...I think her name is Thistle. What a doll and at age 24, she's seen it all, done it all and could have written the book! Muffy took me out and we did the exercises on her video/DVD. Fortunately, I'd bought it at the Horse Expo this winter and had watched it a number of times. Naturally, going to the right, where my right hand was dominant, it was a piece of cake and I was feeling pretty good while we did all 3 exercises, up and down her fence line, back and forth over the driveway and doing expanding circles, traveling to the left (counter clockwise) but moving to the right. Oh..I was feeling smug. Then we turned around and my left hand had to be dominant. Ouch! In short order I admitted the difficulty and said I thought she wanted me to walk and chew gum. Yes, she said, and I want you to whistle Dixie. Crikeys! Well after feeling smug, I felt like a fool. Of course, the pony, so well trained, behaved like my Candy. When I did it correctly, she was brilliant. When I confused everything, she just wandered all over the place, clearly telling Muffy I was a fool and would she please straighten me out? Oh the embarrasment! Eventually, with Muffy calling out the commands, we finished the 3 exercises and moved to the final test...driving a figure 8. At first I didn't understand what she was asking so I asked the pony to halt and turned to Muffy saying "I'm confused....what are we doing". Seems I'd done so well that she skipped the step of telling me the purpose of the next exercise so I didn't know what we were doing. Once I understood that the horse had to step into my outside rein and then turn the opposite direction I understood. But that didn't make it easier. So the poor pony and I walked 8's after 8's after 8's until, finally, I reached the point where my commands were soft and understandable and the pony dropped her head, her ears got soft and floppy and her eyes started to close. What a great reward from the pony!!!! Muffy was pleased and said I was 'easy to teach'. I was thrilled because finally, after an hour of work, walking probably a mile or more, I was able to make my hands soft and clear to this highly trained pony. I am so tickled that this so successful pony at age 24, finally admitted I might be OK in asking her to do things. Was I thrilled? You bet. Am I excited to finally try this out with Cara? Of course I am. The best part is that Muffy understands my problems and understands the reactions Cara will offer. As we did each exercise, she'd say "now when you do this with your mini, she'll react in these ways and here's what to do." So as we worked along and as I learned how to do the exercises, Muffy kept relating everything to Cara's way of going. I am tickled. Of course, you ask, have I had time to try? Nope....first it was too hot and then the process of moving out of Easton and prepping for SC has absorbed my time. But I now have 3 days to play where we should be in good shape so I'll try out my new skills....after watching the DVD one more time. Muffy's comment was that most of her clients found the DVD made more sense after actually doing the work under instruction. I expect that will be true. Meanwhile I've been 'practicing' mentally. I've made a lot of progress in many areas by visualizing what I want to do, reducing things to slow motion so I know what the timing is (yup, managed a flying lead change by 'practicing' mentally the night before). So I'm looking forward to trying the things I've learned with Cara. I sincerely hope she says...thank you...now you make sense...but I know that at first she'll question my mind, refuse to think this might make her life easier, yadda yadda...you know all the ideas a horse can toss out to try to avoid your requests. But Muffy has prepared me and I look forward to having some fun helping Cara carry herself better and not need to counter bend on the turns. With luck and practice, by next Spring we'll have her feet working under her, her balance firmly in hand and we will be able to strike awe and amazement to the mini-driving folks in Aiken. I hope you've enjoyed my report of my experience with Muffy. I did pass on your warm greeting and she was pleased. I look forward to more opportunities to work with her as I try to bring Cara to even better experiences. Cheers Martha Page 6 DDC Driving Lines CLINICS ARE FOR EVERYONE! By: Sherry Harris NEWS... NEWS... NEWS Starting this August, Horse Force Magazine, a free Delmarva Publication, will be running a Delmarva Driving Club column entitled the Delmarva Driving Club Lines. In it, we hope to promote our upcoming events to members and nonmembers alike who are interested in getting involved in the wonderful world of harness horses and carriage driving. Check out Horse Force at your local tack stores or on line at http://www.horseforcepr oductions.com WANTED CLUB SECRETARY DDC member interested in becoming a valuable BOD team member for 2013 and beyond? With happiness for Martha but a bit of sadness for us all, Ms. Martha MacDonald has announced she will be leaving the Easton, MD area and will be permanently relocating to South Carolina this fall. She has agreed to continue her secretarial duties through the end of 2013 but that means DDC will need a new Club Secretary? Want to get involved?? We would love to have you. Contact Martha and find out what is involved at (609) 510- 7465 or email her at [email protected] Remember some of our Club objectives? To promote knowledge, to organize activities, to exchange ideas and to assist members in gaining driving techniques and skills. Some people think clinics are designed to help only show type people. This is NOT true. Clinics are to teach everyone to improve their communication skills between any size equine and the driver. Safety is of the up most importance for those of us that handle and drive equines. We are a diversified club. Some members concentrate on working with horse drawn equipment, some on ring skills such as dressage and showing at shows, and even events such as driving cross country through complicated obstacles. A lot of us enjoy just trotting around the farm or out on the road and trails. In order to do any of these things well and safely, we need to understand what our equines are telling us and they need to understand what we are trying to tell them. In this world of unsafe and rude car drivers, motorcyclists, four wheelers and people that just don't know any better. We need to be better prepared for the drive we plan to go every time. We offer these professional clinics to members at a greatly reduced price. Club members who audit are free. I know everyone that comes will learn valuable lessons. It may not seem to apply to you now, but may some day save your day and maybe something else. Another clinic is being organized for Oct. 6, 2012. We hope that information can be exchanged between ourselves at lunch and afterwards. You must pre-register. Specify your desired driving interest. Space is limited. To my friends in the DDC: By now, some of you may be aware that I’ll soon be leaving Delmarva. I’m retiring from the National Park Service on August 4th and, shortly thereafter, moving to upstate New York to be with my wife Laura and her son James. It will be a bittersweet departure, as the last 20 years here on the peninsula have been great ones. During that time I transitioned from caring for horses to driving them – a life changing experience. The DDC was a big part of that change, providing a helpful, welcoming forum for learning about driving and providing lots of good times over the years. Being without a drivable horse the past few years has limited my participation in club activities, but not my fond feelings for the club and its members. I’ll miss you all. That said, my new horse is coming along nicely, and so don’t be surprised if you see us back down this way in the future. I’ll be looking forward to it. Enjoy! DDC Driving Lines Page 7 Nutter Marvel Carriage Museum Tour and Luncheon RSVP PERSON Frances Baker Francesbaker65@gmail. com or 302 381 2979 Date: August 18, 2012 Saturday Time: 11:00-3:00 510 Bedford St. Georgetown, DE 19947 This DDC sponsored event is being hosted by Terry Johnson and the Georgetown Historical Society of Georgetown, DE at the Nutter Marvel Carriage Museum. A light luncheon will be offered with each paid admission. Come out and support a wonderful organization and learn more about beautiful equine vehicles and Delaware history! The tour and luncheon is free to all current DDC members and $10.00 for all others. Reservations must be made by August 1, 2012 to ensure proper planning for the luncheon. Come plan on spending a few hours and ‘travel’ back in time with old and new friends! 510 South Bedford Street Georgetown, DE Georgetown, DE 19947 Directions: From the North: Go south on US 113/DuPont Hwy, go past Georgetown and turn left (if you are coming from the north) just before Motor Vehicle on Beford Street then go around the sharp curve in the road and the museum is immediately on the left. Go through the horse head columns and the Lynch building is on your left and that is where the tour will begin! TOUR will start at 11:00, lunch following tour Page 8 DDC Driving Lines JENNY’s TACK AND HARNESS CLEANING SERVICE Crumpton, MD REASONABLE PRICES ON TOUGH JOBS 443-480-6360 DDC Club pins will be available for purchase at all DDC events for $5.00. Here’s our beautiful new pin! Buy a few and support your club. DDC Hats, Polos and sweatshirts for sale at very reasonable prices Contact Donna Hurst (302) 492-3932 Page 9 DDC Driving Lines Calendar of Events—DDC Items are in Bold More information about activities will be available in future issues. Check for changes and additions. If you plan to attend a DDC sponsored event, PLEASE contact the host before the event. All members are welcome to attend the monthly BOD meetings, but we would appreciate a heads-up if you plan to attend so that we can phone in case of any change in time or location. Chestertown, MD, rain date Sept 30. Michael @ 410-810-2997. Fun black jack poker game offered as a optional diversion at the drive, Deadline for next’s newsletter is August 27 August 2-5 ADS Mid-Atlantic Regional Pleasure Driving Weekend at Fair hill see page 9 for more information. August 8-12 Walnut Hill Driving Competition www.walnuthillfarm.org August 18 Carriage Museum Guided Tour and Luncheon at the Nutter Marvel Carriage Museum. Georgetown, DE, FREE for members; $10 for non members, RSVP REQUIRED to Frances Baker @ 302 381-2979 August 25 MY LADY’S MANOR DRIVING CLUB SCHOOLING DRIVING TRIAL, Spring Valley Park, Winterstown, PA. Contact Anne Councill, [email protected], 717993-8956, www.mlmdc.org. Sept 7-9 Willow Glen CDE West Grove PA (Formerly where Laurels of Landhope competition was held) Contact: Anne Pringle Cell 910-691-7735 [email protected] Sept 16 30th ANNIVERSARY MY LADY'S MANOR PLEASURE DRIVING SHOW: York County, PA. www.mlmdc.org. Pleasure, Obstacles, Pleasure Drive, Concours d'Elegance. Dana Bright, H: 717-246-2351, C: 717471-7524, [email protected]. Also Anne Councill, P: 717-993-8956, C: 717-880-3840, [email protected]. Entries Open: August 1; Entries Closed: September 7. Http://www.mlmdc.org Sept 23 Grassymeade Farm Drive, Sept 28-30 GARDEN STATE HDT and COMBINED TEST: The Horse Park of New Jersey, Allentown, NJ. www.horseparkofnewjersey.com. Training, Preliminary, Intermediate. Liz Kwasnik and Judy Canavan, H: 609-259-3256, C: 908612-5199, [email protected] / [email protected]. Entries Open: July 16; Entries Closed: August 31. October 6 -Driving Clinic with Anne Councill at the Larry & Sharon Little Farm in Harrington, DE. DDC members pay only $25!!!!! Auditors free. Preregistration is a MUST! Bring your own lunch, DDC will provide cold beverages. Call Pao Lin to reserve your spot now at 240 274 6180 or email at [email protected] Oct Hollyville Drive, Harbeson, DE. Date tbd Oct 18-21 Carriage Association of America Conference (Charleston, SC ) Fall conference Meeting. Nov Comegy Bite Drive, TBD Dec 8 DDC Holiday Party– Ruthsburg Community Center, Queen Anne, MD. Details to follow!! We need ideas and volunteers :-) DDC Classifieds For Sale: Synthetic breast collar style harness for 16+ horse, used but not abused. Wrong size for my horse :-(. Can send pix. Ridgely, MD Call Sandra at (410) 634 0182 or (410) 200 3127. For Lease or Sale, beautiful paint mare 15.3H, rides and drives, calm sane, sensible and sounds. Too busy to enjoy! Has been shown at various events and shows around the midAtlantic. Call Cynthia @ 609668-2308 or email at [email protected]. For Sale: Beautiful gently used Charles Owen’s JR 8 sz 6 5/8; only 1 1/2 yr old in great condition. Sells new for $147– will sell for $75 or $60 to a 4H Member!! Call Sharon Little at (302) 398 9517 Wanted: Good Condition 2 Horse Stock Trailer. Call or email Betty (410-634-2579 [email protected] For Sale: Older 2 horse trailer Call or email Carol 443-4665043 [email protected] Wanted: 21 inch Full Collar. Call or email Betty (410-6342579 [email protected] President Donna Hurst Sunshine Lois Evans 302-492-3932 302-875-4971 [email protected] Photography Archives Martie Bolinski Vice President Pao Lin Hatch Web Master: Pao Lin Hatch Membership Chair 240 274 6180 [email protected] 410 398-0257 [email protected] Secretary Martha MacDonald Board Members: 609-510-7465 Sherry Harris (410) 482-2402 [email protected] Joan Smith (610) 299-1191 Jane Ramsey (302) 659-2827 Jackie McCann Webpage http://www.delmarvadrivingclub.com (302)233-4660 Newsletter Editor Pao Lin Hatch [email protected] 240 274 6180 [email protected] Delmarva Driving Club c/o Pao Lin Hatch 22988 Fairgale Farm Lane Chestertown, MD 21620 Treasurer