Bethany Horse Council

January 16, 2000

Old Airport Road, Route 63, Bethany

Sleighs Only

Contact: Judith Smith at 1-203-393-1590

 

From the Currier & Ives Horse division to the Juniors to Drive division, there are more than two dozen divisions to enter for the area’s inaugural sleigh ride of the new century. Sponsored by the Bethany Horse Council, the ride will begin at 10 am at the Old Bethany Airport on Route 63 in Bethany and will feature hot refreshments from Billy’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream and Coffee Cake.

Drivers 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult driver. Entries are $10 per sleigh (sleighs only, no wheels) and you can enter as many divisions as you wish. Donations to support the Bethany Carriage Rally Committee will be gladly accepted.

Classes include: Currier & Ives Horse, Currier & Ives Pony, Ladies to Drive Horse, Ladies to Drive Pony, Pairs to Drive, Gents to Drive Horse, Gents to Drive Pony, Draft Horses (teams), Draft Horses (multiple hitches), Dentured Drivers, Single Horse, Single Pony, Novice, Juniors to Drive.

Newtown Bridle Lands Association &

Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard

January 23, 2000

Fairfield Hills, Newtown

Sleighs or Wheels

Contact: Toby Tamblyn at 1-203-270-6813

 

The Parade of Sleighs (if there is no snow, wheels will be used) will begin at 11 am with an awards ceremony at 2 pm. A $20 per sleigh fee includes all events, but does not include lunch. Hot lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase. Registration upon arrival. Please be prepared to show current (within a year) Coggins and rabies vaccination forms.

This a point-to-point sleigh drive and obstacle course. Cross-country course will consist of marked roads and fields and will NOT be timed. The timed obstacle course will be designed to test the driver’s skill and horse’s composure through cones.

The awards for the obstacle course competition will be for first- through sixth-place. Ribbons will also be awarded for Best Turn Out, Most Bell,s Biggest and Littlest Horse, Oldest Sleigh and Wolliest Horse or Pony.

Northwest Connecticut Draft Horse Assoc.

February 13, 2000

Harwinton Fair Grounds, Harwinton

Sleighs or Wheels

Contact: Bill Buys at 1-860-485-1821

 

There will be 14 divisions to choose from – from Gentlemen to Drive Drafts all the way to Double Jeopardy (singles or pairs). Entries will be judged one against the other on performance, suitability, and quality of each turn out. Entries to be shown at a walk, collected trot, and working tropt. Judge may ask entries to trot on, stand quietly or back up.

The Double Jeopardy class will be driven over a prescribed course of obstacles (paired markers) by an entry consisting of horse(s), vehicle and two drivers. Number of obstacles are proportionate to ring size. After passing the starting line, the driver will proceed through each obstacle to the designated finish line and come to a complete halt. The lines are then passes to the second driver who must drive the course in reverse order. Course faults are scored as penalty seconds and are added to drive time. Placing is determined on a low total time basis. Tie for first will be decided by a drive off.

A trophy and six ribbons will be award for each class. Entry fee is $15 per exhibitor for the day.

Classes include: Gentlemen to Drive Drafts (singles), Ladies to Drive Ponies (singles and pairs), Gentlemen to Drive Light Horses (singles and pairs), Ladies to Drive Drafts (singles), Gentlement to Drive Ponies (singles and pairs), Ladies to Drive Drafts (pairs), Ladies to Drive Light Horses (singles and pairs), Gentlemen to Drive Drafts (pairs), Juniors to Drive, Currier & Ives, Novice, Draft 4-Horse Hitch, Double Jeopardy (singles), Double Jeopardy (pairs).

Helpful Hints

For Sleigh Rallies

Everyone’s objective is to have fun and be safe. Here are some things to consider before going to a sleigh rally:

1. Hard hats are recommended for drivers AND passengers.

2. Consider the total weight of sleigh and contents. Add the weight of the sleigh, passengers and all their winter gear. A conditioned, correctly shod horse may be able to pull its weight but few of our horses are conditioned that well or experienced enough to handle a heavy load. So plan for a light load.

3. Condition your horse physically and intellectually to the sleigh – and especially the bells – before the rally.

4. Your horse needs to be shod with studs or caulks to handle any load on ice.

5. Plan on a slow, leisurely, fun pace – horses are not as fit as in summer and they have heavier winter coats.

6. Walk your horse up and down hills – don’t count on traction for horse or vehicle. Passengers can get out or walk. SAFETY FIRST for people and horses.

7. Bring extra horse blankets and wraps for hot horses at the end of the rally. They probably will be wet and will get very cold, very quickly.

8. Certificates for a negative Coggins test and for rabies vaccinations, within a year of the event, will be required.

Safety Issues

1. SAFETY FIRST for people and horses.

2. A waiver must be signed by ALL drivers and passengers.

3. A horse judged to be stressed will be held or disqualified.

4. Use a pace suitable for the conditions and your horse.

5. A sleigh, vehicle or harness in unsafe condition will be disqualified.

6. Bridles with blinders are recommended and a horse hitched to a sleigh must not have its bridle removed.

7. Horses tied or hitched to a vehicle must not be left unattended.

8. Juniors (under 18) to drive must be accompanied by an adult capable of driving.