Valley Horses

Going for a drive, Valley-style

A record number of entries took part in the 29th Annual Driving Competition hosted by the Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club at Hank and Laura Minor’s Paduka Run on the corner of Roots Tavern Road and Route 39 north of Geneseo.

The weather was ideal, and the setting was even more so, as farm managers Tom and J.R. Booth had the grounds in exemplary condition.

The GVRDC is blessed to have the support and kindness of several neighboring landowners in order to offer a wonderful variety of competitions throughout our all-too-brief local season.

The day began with driven dressage, followed by an obstacle course of cones in a ring, and finally a cross-country obstacle course through the fields and woods, including a water crossing and covered bridge.

Results

Single Horse Champion: Carolyn Sellars (Williamsport, PA) and Duly Noted with a Kuhnle Gig; Reserve: Bonnie Andre (Victor) and Bruichladdich/”Laddie”

Multiples Champion: Sarah Bates (Honeoye Falls) with High Hopes Nitro and Mickey put to a Spider Phaeton; Reserve: Elmar Frangenberg (Henrietta) with WAR Fralight and WAR Dance of Fire put to a Phaeton

Large Pony Champion: Nicole Cable (Batavia) and Kanga with a Gig; Reserve: Larry Bason (Mill Hall, PA) with his half-Arab gelding Sunshine’s Amir

Small Pony Champion: Star Knight (Holley) and Bill with a Gig; Reserve: Carolyn Wehle (Scottsville) and Peanut with a Bird-in-Hand Flyer

Very Small Equine (VSE – aka Mini) Champion: Nikki Kane (Holley) and Paris with a Road Cart; Reserve: Linda Santos (Ithaca) and China with a Road Cart

Training Dressage High Score: Larry Bason and Sunshine’s Amir (144 points)

Preliminary Dressage High Score: Ted Jenney (Holley) and Maverick with a Road Cart (151 points)

It should be noted that Ted Jenney is devoted to both miniature horses (VSEs) and driving — so much so that he provides horses and equipment to numerous whips (drivers) who would not be involved in the sport were it not for him.

Fully 25 percent of the show’s entries were driving horses bred, trained and/or owned by him, and the VSE division was by far the largest.

One interesting thing I learned (my favorite days are when I learn something) is that in driving, when a whip has more than one entry, only the first to compete can have its scores count for prizes.

In the other equestrian disciplines with which I am familiar, the rider may compete several times on different horses, since each time it is the horse that is unfamiliar with the course.

In driving, the whip is only allowed to compete once over a course, because the driving people feel the experience gained may give an unfair advantage.

All subsequent equine partners are not allowed to have their scores count for ribbons, although the term hors de concours (French: meaning outside of competition or not to be judged) is not used.

Coming Up

Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 a.m. — Genesee Valley Hunt Opening Meet: Attention all of you who are asking “When is The Hunt?”

The informal cub hunting started weeks ago, but what most are referring to is the parade down Main Street in Geneseo which takes place on the opening day of the formal hunt season.

Be downtown at 7:30 a.m. if you want to see a key piece of the local color as hounds, hunt staff, and subscribers, ranging in age from pre-schoolers to senior citizens, head out from the Wadsworth Homestead at the south end of Main Street, up to the Hartford House at the north end of the street, and off into the woods and fields beyond for the first day of hunting in formal attire.

Saturday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon – Children’s Basic Horsemanship

The Genesee Valley Equine Clinic is calling all children! Spend the morning with other horse-crazy youngsters learning some of the ins and outs of horse anatomy and basic veterinary science.

You will learn how to take a horse’s temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate. You will also listen to a live horse’s heart with a stethoscope, learn how to weigh a horse and how to handle the feet. A fun time is guaranteed for all! Parents are welcome to watch from the sidelines.

With Julia Gray, DVM and Jennifer Cornell, Clinic Assistant at GVEC, 925 Chili Scottsville Road, Scottsville, NY 14546. $ 8.00 per child (parents are free and welcome to stay)

Call the office at 889-1170 to reserve your spot or email gvec at generalemail@ rochester.rr.com.

Sunday, Sept. 25 – 40th Anniversary Schoolhouse Races starting at 1 p.m. at McGuire Farm in Avon. Access to the course is a farm lane opposite Little Road off Nations Road a short tick down from Fowlerville Road.

This no-frills meet has been the introduction to racing on the flat and over fences for generations of young horses and riders; however, this year’s renewal could be the last, according to McGuire. Still, she is expecting a baby in the spring…of the four-legged variety, so the race field and fences will remain for her to oversee the training of her next Maryland Hunt Cup prospect.

No admission, no amenities beyond good fun and good friends, so bring your own…whatever. All are welcome. For more information call 226-2958.