Sunday, February 24, 2013

northwest ohio driving circuit

Last summer, Jaime had finally convinced me to do take Shyloh to some driving shows. I was completely against showing Shy, just because I have been through recitals, competitions, meets, and some form of judgement my whole life. I just wanted to enjoy my horse.

But I was convinced to go to a clinic held by the Harry Hughes Youth Equestrian Center.

There were a bunch of Haflingers there and everyone was so nice and very helpful with me and Shy. So I went to a show. And I had fun! There was a lot going on, but I was in the draft division with Shy and stuck mostly with those people. I did not feel any pressure, it was a great experience for me and Shy, and we learned a lot. Even though we didn't win any ribbons, I met some new friends which are way more important to me than ribbons.

Because the Harry Hughes circuit is growing, and the draft division is growing as well, those of us with draft and/or driving horses decided to split into our own group. We are having our show days on different days than the rest of the circuit, we picked our showbill, set our rules and we picked a new name and logo.



We are the NorthWest Ohio Driving Circuit or NWODC. We decided to open our circuit up to draft and pleasure driving, which would include any other horse, pony, mini, mule, or donkey that wants to participate.  We had created a new logo to represent us. And Jaime found a place nearby us that will customize shirts and car decals. Here is my hoodie!
I got teal writing because it's one of our show colors and Shy's name on the sleeve!
The logo depicts a draft, a mule, a Haflinger or Gypsy, and a mini.
It has been fun helping to found this new group. We just had our third meeting today to put together this show. I think all the work we have put in will really pay off. We also have Adult, Youth, and Pee Wee classes, so if anyone has a kid I can borrow that wants to use Shy for some lead line or simple stuff, let me know!

Check out the Facebook group Northwest Ohio Driving Circuit. There you will find the showbill, the rules, and entry forms for the shows that can be pre-filled for show day.

Harry Hughes will be holding a clinic on May 4th and May 5th. The clinics are free and open to everyone! May 4th is the light horse day which covers Showmanship, English Equitation, Trail, Western Horsemanship, and has a Cowboy Mounted Shooting Demonstration.

The Draft/Driving clinic is May 5th and starts at 9am. It covers Braiding and Decorating Drafts, draft Showmanship, Safe Harnessing and Hooking, Hitching Single Cart, Working Obstacles, and then there is Open Work Time. It's a fun time.

If anyone is in the area that has a draft or driving horse, or wants to get involved, please come join us! The competition is friendly, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the people are amazing! Feel free to join the groups or email me with any questions! I am really looking forward to showing this year, especially since chances are good Shy and I will be in the cart!


11 comments:

  1. I just wanted to say that I'm really glad you found this group of people, and that you found that you can show and have fun.

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  2. Love the logo. The more places you haul your horse the better she will get at everything. Even if you aren't competitive at shows to start with it is still a great experience for your horse. There is so much going on and so much she can get exposed too. And if you place it's a win/win.

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    1. She has been really good everywhere she has been hauled to so far. She just steps right off and finds some grass and is good to go!

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  3. Love the logo. The more places you haul your horse the better she will get at everything. Even if you aren't competitive at shows to start with it is still a great experience for your horse. There is so much going on and so much she can get exposed too. And if you place it's a win/win.

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  4. How wonderful to have input in the beginning of something like this. You get to help shape the organization and have some say-so as to the direction it will take. Lucky you! The logo is really nice!

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    1. It has been fun starting this new group. I hope it is successful and we get a lot of people coming to the shows. Thanks! We really wanted to include all the types of equines we might expect to see.

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  5. That's super cool! I've never done driving, but have always been interested in it. Glad your experience with showing was a good one, they can be a great motivational tool and social outlet.

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    1. Driving is fun! If you ever get the chance, give it a try.

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