Susan sent me these photos of three members of the CAA group in Norfolk who took driving lessons this morning, with a pair of ponies, a pair of horses, and a team of horses.
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May 14, 2013
The small(er) CAA group that traveled from Windsor up to Norfolk enjoyed a coaching run today, with John Parker driving his beautiful mail coach through the countryside surrounding John and Susan Townsend’s Swingletree Driving Center.
Susan and Rosie took these photos:
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May 13, 2013
I apologize for the delay in bringing this to you, but Jill had little to no time to write a report, Internet-connection issues, and then computer issues. And then when I got her report (written on Saturday morning) by email, I had no Internet connection at the time and no way to share it here.
At any rate, here is Jill’s report from the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Saturday …
“After record-breaking heat at the beginning of the week, we are now back to ‘normal’ Windsor weather — showers one moment and sun the next! It’s really hard to dress in the morning for the whole day!
“I took quite a large group on a ‘walk-about’ of the show grounds on Wednesday morning. Although there was no driving that day on the show schedule, we did see the FEI vet inspection and some outstanding show jumping. That evening we enjoyed a rousing welcome party in our hotel which involved singing and a late night!
“The next morning, I led a much smaller group (with others choosing to sleep in!) around the show grounds. This day (Thursday) there was driving: the Hackney ponies and horses both competed, the FEI driven dressage started with pony fours and then horse fours, and of course the very popular Trade Vehicle class took place in the Castle Arena. There were thirteen vehicles showing in that class, and it was a great sight.
“At 4:00 p.m., we were treated to a private tour of the Royal Mews at Windsor Castle (not open to the pulic). Terry Pendry, stud groom, showed us about. Everyone was thrilled to see the Ascot Landaus and Rolls Royce cars, plus the horses and ponies of HM The Queen and the Fell ponies that Price Phillip drives. Also temporarily housed in the Mews this week is the King’s Troop, and we all enjoyed watching them prepare for their dress rehearsal that evening.
“Following our Mews visit, we all tromped down to the show grounds again and were treated to a Pimm’s party (a ‘Pimm’s cup’ is a special English drink involving alcohol, lemonade, and fruit!) at the Bowman and Fawcett camp. All FEI competitors stay in their vans, RVs, trailers, or tents and set up camp right beside the River Thames. The Bowmans, Tom Facwett, and the Woods park in a large U and set our their awnings to create a comfortable home for the week. It was great fun.
“Friday started out overcast, dull, and threatening rain. Today was the big day for the coaching. As there is only the one class for coaching, all participants ship in for the day and work out of their vans in the parking area. So it is customary to walk about and see them. As I was doing that, the sun came out and it remained sunny for the day. Eleven coaches participated: Park Drags, Road Coaches, and military vehicles. Two entries were from the U.S.: Misdee Miller of Kentucky & Florida, and Jim Fairclough of New Jersey. I saw them all drive off (after a late start because of a medical situation with a guest on John Brown’s coach — all ended well, but it involved ambulances, etc.!). The coaches made their way across the street from the parking area and through the town gate into Windsor Home Park, and then they enjoyed a spectacular drive through the private grounds, down the Long Walk, and back to the show ring for final judging. Colin Henderson, the judge, had given them a close look at the start, watched them along the route, and gave them a final look in the ring. Mark Broadbent won the coaching championship again, plus the Jack Pemberton trophy for the best turned out. Misdee received a well-earned third place and Jim was fourth. [You can see a few photos from Friday’s coaching marathon in the previous post, from earlier today, and on the CAA’s Facebook page.]
“Then the ladies of the World Coaching Club (Misdee Miller as president) met in the Members Enclosure for a champagne reception and at 6:30, we all attended the FEI Driving Competitors party in the Royal Enclosure. Half of the CAA group had purchased tickets for the evening concert in St. George’s Chapel to celebrate the Queen’s sixtieth anniversary. One of our group told me she was moved to tears by the performances.”
To see scores from the FEI driving event, be sure to visit www.hoefnet.com/.
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And here is Jill’s report from earlier today …
“The last day of the show started out sunny and warm and several of us sat ringside to enjoy the classes in the Castle Arena. Then it got wet and cold and so back indoors we came. Sunday evening we all enjoyed a Sunday ‘roast dinner’ in our hotel and, judging by the lively conversation, everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the week.
“This morning we said goodbye to most people and then twelve of us traveled three hours northeast to Norfolk to spend time at Swingletree Stable. Today, several people had driving lessons while others toured the stables and viewed the carriages. Tonight we will enjoy a dinner together with some British guests.”
“This morning we said goodbye to most people and then twelve of us traveled three hours northeast to Norfolk to spend time at Swingletree Stable. Today, several people had driving lessons while others toured the stables and viewed the carriages. Tonight we will enjoy a dinner together with some British guests.”
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May 13, 2013
I now have a bunch of photos from the CAA group’s visit to this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show. In the three photos below, I believe the first one is of Mark Broadbent, who won the Coaching Championship and the Jack Pemberton Trophy for being the best turned out. The second and third photos are of U.S. drivers: Jim Fairclough and Misdee Wrigley Miller, respectively. It looks like they had perfect weather for the event (unlike last year, when the ground was so muddy from the previous days’ heavy rains that the coaching was canceled!).
To see more photos, click on the link (at right) to visit the CAA’s Facebook page.
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May 10, 2013
traveling companions, part 2
Posted by Jennifer under early roads, history, horses & driving, Mr. Johnson's trekLeave a Comment
… continued from yesterday …
“It was not very long before I was at the top of the mountain; there was a fine landscape before me. To my right I could see a long distance, a vast plain, nothing to hinder or obstruct my view. Some smoke in the distance attracted my attention; it was from an engine and was traveling from me, as it gradually went out of sight. I pulled from my box a map of the Central Pacific Railroad, and found that it was the express train from Palisade to Eureka. I drove down the mountain to its base and came to a trail that led to my right. I concluded this trail [would take] me to Palisade, while my left led to Carlin, which I took. I traveled up grade about a mile to the canyon; the first of the mile was good, but the latter hard and rough. I was obliged to stop on coming to a bad washout and said to the horse, ‘Fanny, what do you think of this? We can’t get over this ditch, it is too big!’ I left my team and went on to see in what condition was the remainder of the canyon. Should it prove as bad or worse, I would not attempt its pasage, but return and go to Palisade. I did not find anything worse; on my left I found water that evidently came from the Emigrant Springs, which are situated at the head of the canyon, which was as far as I went. I turned back to where I had left my outfit, and found that they had got other company.
“They had been joined by a band of gypsies, with two large covered wagons, drawn by four horses each. They saluted me as I came up, saying ‘Stranger, you all alone?’ ‘I am not all alone; I have just received company from the west, two teams of gypsies.’ I remember[ed] passing these teams at Reno, some two weeks ago. ‘Well, stranger, how does it look to you?’ ‘To me, it looks rough and tough; when I came to this ditch I stopped and then made an inspection of the road to the springs, and find this the worst part.’ ‘Can we get through, or shall we have to go back and go by the way of Palisade?’ ‘Here is the worst place to get over, especially with your wagons, as they are much larger than mine. We can get across, but it will take some engineering; there are five of us, besides the women and children.’
“My plan was to take out the horses and lead them across the gulch, then slide the wagons into the gulch, running them up the opposite side of the bank as high as we could and lifting in the rear, drag the wagons out of the washout, which we did after considerable engineering, hard labor, and patience. Having done this successfully, the remainder of the canyone was only rough and stony. The gypsies said I had done them a great kindness and that I understood this business and must be a Yankee, and they asked where I was from. I answered that I was a Yankee, from California, and was going to Massachusetts. ‘We have heard often of the Yankees, but never saw one before; we are from California but our home is in Salt Lake City.’ ‘Then you are Mormons, I have often heard what horrid people they are. If you are Mormons, I would risk myself with them at any time.’ ‘You need not be afraid of us, and we shall remember this canyon. We have some good whiskey in our wagon, which I think was made for this time and occasion. Will you have a taste?’ ‘Well, I seldom ever take any, but if you wish me, I will at this time and occasion. Should I ever make a record of this, which I think I shall at some future time, and you happen to see it, you will remember the whole story. It is getting late, we must be going on further.’ So we moved on, I leading the van; with my light team I could travel faster than they with their large, top-heavy wagons, which would rock to and fro like a ship at sea.
“It was about half-past ten o’clock when we got to the washout and it was three o’clock as we left. When we reached the springs just out of the canyon, we camped for dinner. After eating and resting we again moved on and gained the top of the mountain. We were delighted with the view, the surroundings were grand and imposing. We reached Carlin just as the sun was setting from our view.”
The Slower Road 