The Slower Road

the change-over stop for the group's coaching run was in front of a house built in 1077 (that is not a misprint!); the owner, John Leader, was delighted with his visitors and invited everyone into the house for a glass of wine (photo by Jill Ryder)

For the title of this post to make sense, I had to lead off with THAT photo (above). Gorgeous, isn’t it?

Jill’s report on the group’s final full day (Tuesday) in Norfolk:

The group enjoyed a hearty breakfast (there seems to be a theme here – good food!) and then departed by our motorcoach for Swingletree. Two members of the group had driving lessons. and then we all watched as the horses were harnessed and put to the coach. Then the task of loading the group began.

Elizabeth Ashbridge enjoyed an early-morning lesson with John Parker (photo by Jill Ryder)

Elizabeth Atkinson of Arizona returning to the stable after her driving lesson with Susan Townsend (photo by Jill Ryder)

 I had an idea that the only fair way to solve the issue of who sits where, was to put numbers on some pieces of paper and throw them in a hat. We quickly divided the group in two (one to drive out and one to return), then asked each person to draw their own number. Then each could select their own seat in order of what number they drew. It seemed to work well and no one seemed too disappointed.

climbing on the coach ... Erik Greisen of Denmark was lucky enough to pick number "1" and he chose the box seat alongside John Parker; seen here at the start of the coaching run on Tuesday morning, the coach is the N205 Royal Mail Coach, whose history can be traced back to 1870, but it is believed to be considerably older; the horses are four Hungarian part-breds, all over 16 hands (photo by Jill Ryder)

The sun was shining and it was a perfect day for a trot down some lovely country roads on our way to the change-over stop: not a pub, as it had been the last time we came, but rather a private home.

the first coaching group, enjoying a trot through the countryside (photo by Jill Ryder)

The owner of this Elizabethian house (in the first photo), built in 1077 (incredible), told us that his mother was from Maryland. When told that most of the group was American, he hung the U.S. flag on the flag pole! He invited us all in his wonderful home and showed us around with great pride. He then offered a glass of wine, before it was time for the second group to get on the coach and enjoy their ride.

the second group, up on the coach, headed away from the change-over stop (photo by Jill Ryder)

It was a perfect day.

Once back at Swingletree, we had a superb coaching lunch prepared by Jenny and Tess. Then several people were showed the harness room while Linda Freeman had a private driving lesson with a four-in-hand.
 
We could hardly take more in and at 5 p.m. returned to our hotel for a short rest before all meeting again at 8 p.m. for dinner, with John and Susan joining us.

Jill is still in England for a few more days, and she sent this report from Monday:

Fourteen of the CAA group joined me on a trip to Norfolk for two days. We all left our hotel around 9:30 a.m. and made the three-hour drive by private motorcoach. The sun was shining and the countrside looked green and very pretty. Once in Norfolk we met a short rain storm and then the balance of the day was just fine.

We arrived at Swingletree in the village of Wingfield around 1 p.m. and enjoyed a wonderful “ploughman’s lunch.” Then John Parker took everyone through the carriage house, explaining each vehicle and describing where he found it and also regaled the group with some fun stories!

Several of the group were signed up for driving lessons, and in order to fit them all in we began the lessons in the afternoon. Two of the group shared a four-in-hand lesson with John and both were able to drive the four (for the first time!) down the local country lanes. Others enjoyed an hour’s lesson with a pair and a single.

Then it was time to check in to our country hotel (formerly a large private house). After time to unpack, many met up in the bar before enjoying a superb dinner.

Jill’s report from Sunday:

Too good to be true!! The rain began this morning and continued on and off all day. One of the main things I wanted to see today was the British Driving Society meet and drive. Some thirty-five vehicles (singles, pairs, tandems, and fours) all gathered in an outer ring, then the royal turnouts, led by HRH Prince Philip driving his four of Fell ponies, arrived, drove through the ring, and led the way for a wonderful drive through Home Park Private. Then they came back into the Castle Arena to the delight of the smaller-than-usual crowd (probably because of the wet and cold weather!). An artist had watched all the entries out on the drive and again in the ring and then selected a single two-wheel vehicle driven by a large Friesian horse as the winner!

a portion of the lineup of the Laurent Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society (photo by Jill Ryder)

CAA member Ken Ruthven of Scotland, seen here driving Ian Smith's team of colored horses to a newly restored Shanks Roof-seat Break; CAA member Erik Greisen of Denmark is enjoying a ride with Ken and Anne (photo by Jill Ryder)

the winner of the BDS meet (photo by Jill Ryder)

I must say that the standard of turnout was even better this year than in the past. It was a real treat to see so many different turnouts.

Sarting this morning, the FEI event continued with the cones competition. Then, after the BDS drive, in came all the FEI entries and the winners of each class were presented their awards by HM The Queen: a great honor for all.

Misdee Miller (USA) leaving the Castle Arena after being presented with her ribbon in front of HM The Queen (photo by Jill Ryder)

Tucker Johnson (USA) leaving the Castle Arena after receiving his second-place prize in the horse four-in-hand class (photo by Jill Ryder)

HM The Queen returning to her seat after awarding the prizes to the first-place winners in the FEI competition (photo by Jill Ryder)

The show ended today with another spectacular drive of the King’s Troop.

Jill’s report from FEI marathon day (Saturday) at the Royal Windsor Horse Show:

Another sunny morning and a great day for the marathon. Despite having to drive nearly 4 km to the start of section A and then driving five sections, all horses and ponies ended the marathon without problems.

Only one elimination today for a competitor who was not wearing a protective vest, and he was pulled before the start of section E.

The two American competitors faired well. Misdee Miller finished the marathon in ninth place and remains in ninth overall: a really good finish for her first international competition. Tucker Johnson drove a good marathon and kept his second place behind Boyd Excell, who has won at Windsor several times.

There was a large crowd at the show today and many ventured down to the obstacles. It helps that one of the obstacles is located inside the show grounds and it attracts a lot of people who might not otherwise notice that driving is going on: a very good design.

Misdee Miller (USA) racing out of the water obstacle at the end of the marathon (photo by Jill Ryder)

Tucker Johnson (USA, currently standing in 2nd place in his division), approaches the finish of the marathon, which is right next to the Thames (photo by Jill Ryder)

Geoff Woods (GBR) at the finish; he's just been debriefed by the judge, Mark Weinstein (photo by Jill Ryder)

CAA member Mia Allo (BEL) in the water obstacle (photo by Jill Ryder)

the flying ponies of Aart van der Kamp (NED), leaving the water obstacle; the man seated by the fence is HRH Prince Philip, who often works all day at this obstacle during the RWHS since having retired from competition several years ago (photo by Jill Ryder)

Jill’s report on the driving that took place in Windsor earlier today:

Another lovely sunny day dawned and continued for the morning, then the clouds came over and it cooled down for the rest of the day. This weather has been repeated each day of the show: sunny morning and cooler afternoon – but no rain today!

The group scattered today, some continuing to watch the combined-driving dressage and others taking a close look at the coaches and then watching them as they were closely inspected by judges Jack Pemberton and Christine Dick before leaving on a nine-mile drive through Windsor Home Park. The two judges were driven (in a Land Rover) around the Park and were able to watch the coaches in several tricky spots along the way. Then all were back to the ring for the awards: Mark Broadbent (with a coach he built himself) won the Park Drag division;  Bob Alexander won the Road Coach division, Danny Kendle won the Military Coach division.

some of the many coaches, lined up in the main Castle Arena (photo by Jill Ryder)

Then all three winners came out of the lineup, and the overall championship was finally won by Mark. Bob Elliott was presented with the prize for the best coach horn.

Mark Broadbent won both the Park Drag division and the overall championship (photo by Jill Ryder)

American FEI pair-horse competitor Misdee Miller, of Florida and Kentucky, drove her dressage test today and scored in the 50s.

the famous flying Dutch ponies: FEI competitor Aart van de Kamp makes his way back from the dressage arena to the stables, along the Thames (photo by Jill Ryder)