Gayla Driving Center

On October 5-6, the Gayla Driving Center hosted a USDFD - United States Driving for Disabled, Inc two-day clinic for the Para Driving Athletes.

The clinic was organized by Diane Kastama, the Vice President of the United States Driving for the Disabled, Inc. Diane, a Grade II level driver, has participated in many FEI World Para Driving Champions winning 1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals representing the USA. The clinician was Sara Schmitt who has competed in 3 World Driving Championships and also coached the Para World Championships held at Sandringham, England in 2014. Sara is a USDF Dressage Judge and an ADS Combined Driving judge. This clinic was free for all participants.

Pat Belskie from Aberdeen, NC participated with her pair of rescued Polish Driving Ponies. Her husband Joe Belskie, a retired veteran, participated with a 3rd generation homebred RPSI mare.

Kristen Multhup from Springfield, OH brought her 3 year old Miniature Horse named Rusty.

Cathy Brooks from Akien, SC brought 2 of her 9 year old miniature horses named Pipen and Bilbo.

Jacque Lerdal, a beginner driver from Hartford, MI, drove a borrow turnout from Marcie Quist. Marcie Quist from Vass, NC loaned her horse “Eva” who is a 6 year old DHH – Hackney – Clyde cross. Craig Kellogg also attended and was a big help from Southern Pines, NC. Jacque brought with her a friend, Carol Williams from Elkhart, IN who received a navigating lesson from Sara.

Everyone did a great job and it was a true pleasure meeting all of you. Hope to see you again.

Congratulations Dede Delaney on winning the Preliminary Pony Pair Division at the Kentucky Classic CDE! Dede was driving her pair of German Riding Pony mares named Ghillie and Guinness while her coach, Larry Poulin navigated. Way to go Dede!

Megan McIntee will be switching to a new career path next week so we threw her a little going away party on Tuesday. She accepted the position of a Passport Representative at the USEF office! Megan was our show secretary for the Gayla Bluegrass CDE and was always very organized with personal information, schedules, and numbers. All of us here at the Gayla wish her the best of luck and well wishes for the future. We will miss you!!
-Debbie

The Kentucky Horse Council Classic 10 K Run at Gayla was a running success on September 19th! All the runners/walkers saw the 718 acre farm at its entirety for the first time. The weather was wonderful and we had a total of 35 entrants. We enjoyed hosting this special event benefiting the KHC.

Bill Richey Despooking Clinic, Sep 2015

On September 12-13, we hosted a very, challenging, Bill Richey mounted police clinic. Wooden bridges, tarps hanging, bridges that move, soft objects bumping into their faces, sides and rear and all while shooting off smoke bombs, bright flares, sirens blasting, lights flashing and Bill's trusty police dog barking on command. It was a very interesting clinic to watch both horses and riders improve with each new challenge. The riders came through all of this with blue stars and signed certificates of completion. Congrats to all!

Thank you to all the auditors and the following participants;

John & Susan from Lawrenceburg, KY riding their TWH

Robin from Urbana, IL riding her TB cross

Janice from Lexington, KY riding her Fjord pony

Bonnie Edmond from Crittenden, KY riding her Morgan

Lori & Wes Baker from Stamping Ground, KY riding their Quarter Horse

Jan & Lisa from Lexington, KY riding Jan’s Friesian horse

Evelyn from Warm Springs, VA riding her Connemara pony

Kelley from Georgetown, KY riding her Quarter Horse

Shauna from Georgetown, KY riding her Thoroughbred (Bill's nickname for him: "Thunderbred")

Lucky Charm is a 5 year old a Percheron/Friesian mare owned by Larry MacQuown. In addition to her carriage training, she is has been broke to ride by the wonderful Melanie Roesner! Charm has a unique personality and is well on her way to become an all-round horse for Larry!

This weekend will be lots of fun! We are hosting a 2-day Despooking clinic with the well known Bill Richey!

If you are interested, please register below:http://www.gayladrivingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Gayla-Clinic-with-Bill-Richey-2015-9-12.pdf

We are very excited to host a de-spooking clinic by Bill Richey on September 12-13!

The 2-day de-spooking clinic is divided into five sections: Horse Physiology and Psychology, Equitation Techniques, Mounted Drill, Mounted Obstacles, and Mounted Sensory. This can be done in-hand, on back, and in long lines. Bill is very personable and has a wealth of experience working with horses. His clinics are offered throughout the country and we are very fortunate to have him right here in KY. We already have people coming from IL, TN, OH and IN. Stabling is limited as we are filling up fast!

You can find the application form and more information on our website under Events > Clinic/Seminars:
http://www.gayladrivingcenter.com/events/clinics-seminars/

Clinics / Seminars | Gayla Driving Center – Carriage Driving and Training Bill Richey, the founder and CEO of National Mounted Police Services, Inc. is a POST certified mounted police instructor. He was instrumental in creating the mounted units for the city of Duluth, also in Forsyth and Gilmer Counties (Georgia) and training their officers and horses. He worked with Atl…

“The Wedding Carriage”

Dana Banfield responded to a service call request in Shelby County at Walnut Way Farm to look at a restored (1890’s) Kinball & Co. Park Phaeton. This vehicle is being used several times a year to perform weddings at their farm!

It was reported that the wheels were squeaking and some of the spokes had separated from a felloe. The decision was made to keep the antique staggered spoked wheels and have new wheels with sarven hubs built. Dana removed the wheels from the carriage and brought back to Gayla so he could use his Shop Press. The original boxings were pressed out to go into the new sarven hubs. Soon the new wheels will be completed at Stutzman's Wheel Shop in Ohio and painted nearby at A & D Buggy Shop!

In addition to the beautiful photos taken by Janeene Jennings during the Hockensmith’s Photography Workshop in June, here are more photos to complement that busy weekend!

Thank you John Stephen Hockensmith for providing a wonderful presentation and getting to explore your studio, Hockensmith's, Fine Art Editions Gallery & Press!

Mary Phelps is organizing an exciting clinic with Bram Chardon on October 9-11 at the Gayla Driving Center! Open to all drivers, trainers, and those interested in learning about combined driving. Read more by clicking the link and fill out the application to get on the list!

Pony Driving World Champion Bram Chardon Coming To The Gayla Equestrian Center For His First... Kentucky is the place to be in October for the sport of Combined Driving as well as other related driving activities, and now there is one more event added to the roster. Two time Pony Driving World Champion, Bram Chardon (NED) will be coming to The Gayla Driving Center, October 9, 10, and 11, for a…

Here are the photos from Dressage and Cones on Saturday during our horse show back in May! Long overdue!

Again, thank you so much to all the competitors and volunteers. We enjoyed seeing everyone!