Meet the Horses 2023

Draken - At 31 Draken has done it all and pretty much seen it all. You can read about his championships, appearance at the World Equestrian Games 2010, and other youthful adventures at DrivingDraken.Blogspot.com. Draken has been largely retired since 2010 but is always game for line driving and being fussed over.

Buckman - Draken's pasture mate is in his mid-teens and is an experience riding horse.  He is a slow walker at home but get him off the farm and he moves right along.  Buckman likes a quiet, attentive handler, his ears tell you his thoughts on things. He prefers to meet people on his terms and is equally conservative in his choice of treats.  Buckman line drives but has not yet transitioned to a wheeled vehicle. My pictures of Buckman are typically through his ears as he primarily my riding horse.

Trick and Treat - Joyce Haak is the primary driver of Trick and Treat, minis that she purchased on Halloween 2008.  The 'boys' do it all - they have done parades, pleasure shows, driving trials, and in-hand shows.  Joyce drove them to championships in 2012 at the Saratoga Driving Trial and the Susquehanna Valley Whips and Wheels Driving Trial. They are 32-inch blue roans, as blue roans they change color year-round so you'll see pictures of them with really white coats in July to really dark coats in winter.

Jackson - Jackson is a 15-year-old registered Appaloosa who Joyce purchased in the fall of 2022.  He has a little bit of experience with everything.  We started him in harness this winter.

Reinsmanship Classes

Heads up that DeVries Nature Conservancy and Carriage Museum will be hosting two reinsmanship classes. They're essentially the same class but because the class size is smaller they are allowing it to be offered on two dates. Details are here.

Learn about reinsmanship in this two-hour class with carriage expert Kathleen Haak!

Reinsmanship is communicating with your driving horse through your voice, reins, and whip. Various reinsmanship stations will be set up with reinboards, allowing you the opportunity to try different types of rein materials and rein handling systems. We will also play some games to enhance your whip handling skills. Improving your reinsmanship skills will set you up for success in any type of driving you choose to do, whether in the show ring, on the trail, or out plowing the field.

*Please Note: the 12/17 and 1/7 reinsmanship classes are the same. You are welcome to sign up for one or both.

About Kathleen:
Kathleen Haak drives singles and pairs along with the occasional tandem and four-in-hand, winning several championships along the way. In 2013 she achieved her Level 2 Driving Proficiency with the Carriage Association of America. Her driving related articles have appeared in The Whip, The Carriage Journal, and Carriage Driving. www.KathleenHaak.com

Harness and Carriage Classes

 Mid-Michigan drivers! DeVries Nature Center and Carriage Museum in Owosso, MI is hosting a two-part series on carriage driving. The first is on November 5th and will cover harness. The second is on November 19th and will cover carriages. Information is available here.

Viking Inspired Equine Snowshoes

In August 2019 the Secrets of the Ice Facebook page shared a new find from the Lendbreen Glacer in Norway. You can read about their finds in Antiquity, Volume 94, Issue 374. American Farriers Journal reported: "The snowshoe, which traditionally were made with a ring of juniper. as well as withe that were made from the twisted root shoots of birch. The shoe would have been attached to the foot with a fastener made from withe — a tough, flexible root shoot from a birch tree. The withe was not found with the snowshoe. Researchers will study it further to determine the materials that were used."

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Viking Era Equine Snowshoe - from Secrets of the Ice Facebook page

Attempt 1

Our first try using common grapevine, iris leaves and some binder twine.

Sadly this attempt fell apart rather quickly as the grapevine kept popping open.

Attempt 2

This leather, grapevine and iris leaf combination held up much better.  Examples of miniature horse walking in the snowshoe are below.  We thought we might have snow to see how well they worked but we only got frost.  There is always this coming winter.

Snowshoe Test 1

 Snowshoe Test 2

Many thanks to Joyce Haak for her assistance in this Covid-19 project.

The Road to Carriage Town

This is a project that I've been working on for quite some time - how the carriage industry affected Michigan cities and towns. How did the rise of labor unions affect carriage manufacturers? Were safety features being implemented to prevent fires, which were a major issue for the carriage industry? Thus far I've written two articles for The Carriage Journal on the topic and have presented two talks. 

This is a copy of one of the talks. I suggest starting at the 4 minute mark as there are some sound issues prior to that.

Making A Change

It has been a few years since this blog has been active, I'm looking forward to getting it up and running again.  The focus will be less on clinics that I'm doing or putting on and more about actual driving.  At this time I'm experimenting with pre-17th century equestrian activities through the SCA and 18th century to present through the CAA.  I've been particularly interested in doing reverse engineering on some projects including creating a Viking inspired snow shoe for a horse as well as looking into full collars for driving.

Jessica Axelsson Clinic

The Three Rivers Carriage Club is hosting a clinic with Jessica Axelsson on April 23rd.  Need more information?  Visit their site at www.ThreeRiversCarriageClub.com/events

Jessica and her pony competing at Walnut Hill.

May 9, 2015 Clinic Featuring Charlie Poppe

Registration forms are available here.

2014 Programs

Kathleen Haak, in conjunction with Tipperary Farm, will be hosting the following clinics this summer.  Private lessons are also available.

Carriage Driving Clinics
Learn the basics from a knowledgeable driver  -- from harnessing, hitching the horse and types of carriages to driving techniques. No experience necessary for Driving 101 and the Adult Driving Clinic.

Registration forms are available here.

May 17th - Driving 101
Carriage driving is an incredibly fun sport.  Whether your interest lies in pleasure driving or combined driving events it all starts with the basics - your harness and cart.  We will be looking at three different types of harness and carts and discussing what may work best for you and your horse.

June 21st - Reinsmanship
Time to drive!  Join us for a morning of long lining and driving.  Space is limited.  Driving horses provided.

July 19th - Cones and Marathon
One of the funnest things about driving is cones and marathon.  Learn how to make your own obstacles and drive them. Space is limited. Driving horses provided.

August 16th - Adult Driving Clinic
If driving a horse is on your bucket list this is the clinic for you! This class is specifically for adults 55+ who would like to experience driving but aren't necessarily looking to enter the show ring.   We'll cover the basics of harnessing and then get right to driving.  Driving horses provided.

September 20th - Driven Dressage Clinic
Learn the basics of driven dressage.  We'll walk the tests, explore the different gaits and go over attire. Horses will be provided, open to outside horses on a limited basis.

October 18th - Halloween Driving Clinic
Join us for a fun day of working on 'scary' objects for driving horses.  Open to outside horses, space is limited.

The Clinician

Kathleen Haak - Kathleen has driven singles, pairs, tandem and a four-in-hand.  She has achieved her Level 2 Proficiency certificate with the Carriage Assoc. of American.  Kathleen achieved a high level of success with Draken, her Standardbred, winning three National Championships.  Following the retirement of Draken, she started Against the Best in his pleasure-driving career.  'Best' was awarded his first national title in 2012.  Currently she is driving Aiken, a multi-talented Fjord.  You can learn more about Kathleen at www.KathleenHaak.com.

The Horses

K.O. Aiken - Aiken is a 10 year-old Fjord who rides and drives.  He has competed at a variety of shows including the Saratoga Driving Trial, the Finger Lakes Fjord Show, and Tri-Valley Horseman Assoc. shows.  Additionally he has participated in the Parade of Breeds at the KY Horse Park, Carriage Round-up and the National Drive. He's also been known to haul a light log or two out of the woods.  Aiken currently holds the title of 'cutest horse in the barn' at Caustelot Farms where he is boarding.

TAF Rowan (Romeo) - Romeo is a Kerry Bog Pony who has been driving for over a year.  Kerry Bogs are a rare breed that originated in Ireland.  Romeo loves the cones!











The Facility

Tipperary Farm is located on over 150 acres in North Fayette Township, western Allegheny County, in southwestern Pennsylvania. The farm is only 30 minutes (non-rush hour) from downtown Pittsburgh and a short drive from The Pointe, The Mall at Robinson, and the North Fayette Township Municipal Complex. The 28 stall equestrian facility with attached 80 ft. x 200 ft. indoor riding arena enjoys beautiful views of the surrounding countryside from its ridge top location. Tipperary Farm specializes in Kerry Bog Ponies and Irish Draughts.

For more information on Tipperary Farm visit http://www.tipperaryfarm.com/

Many thanks to Tipperary Farm for allowing us to use their wonder facility for this event.

Tipperary Farm
1185 Stewart Road
McDonald, PA 15057

Pittsburgh Area Carriage Driving Club

Quick reminder that our first driving club meeting is this Wednesday nigh, April 24th, at 6:30. Caustelot Farms in Cecil have been nice enough to host the first meeting. Their address is Caustelot Farm, 39 Oblock Ln McDonald, PA 15057, it is right off 50 (or Millers Run Rd, whatever you want to call it). They share the driveway area with Venice Pres. Church. We'll do a long lining demo and then get the meeting underway. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Article on the clinic plus a few pictures

The United States Trotting Assoc. mentioned the clinic in their article - http://xwebapp.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/templates/article.aspx?articleid=52349&zoneid=63

Mike Wilder speaking

Against the Best hooked to the pleasure driving cart

Aiken hooked to the marathon vehicle

Registration is complete!

Thank you for signing up for the 2013 Carriage Driving 101 Clinic.  We'll be starting promptly at 9am this coming Saturday, the 16th.  Emails have been sent to everyone that I have registered for the clinic.  If you have not received an email please check your spam box, if it is not in the spam box then please contact me so that we can confirm your registration.

Please bring your helmet with you when you come.

Directions

 Tipperary Farms, home of Kerry Bog Ponies and Irish Draught Horses, is hosting the event.  Their address is 1185 Stewart Road, McDonald, PA 15057.  There is a white sign with green lettering at the end of the driveway; the driveway is kind of long and goes uphill.  The farm is 3.5 miles from the ‘downtown’ McDonald, PA. 

 

If you are coming from Washington, PA then you can get directions here - http://mapq.st/WFSGZS

If you are coming from Pittsburgh, PA then you can get directions here - http://mapq.st/Xy3KUL

 

 Schedule (always subject to change)

 

Coffee, hot chocolate and apple cider, along with breakfast pastries will be available upon your arrival.

9:00 am - - Introductions followed by harnessing demo, we will then break into smaller groups and each person will have the opportunity to harness a horse.  From there we’ll break into the four groups.  The clinicians will stay in their ‘classrooms’ and you will move to them as a group (just like school).

 

Noon – Lunch and Speaker

 

After Lunch - Kathleen will do a quick long-lining demo and explain the different ways to hold the lines.

 

The rest of the afternoon is driving time.  You are welcome to line drive Mike’s draft horse, try driving the mini pair, as well as experience the difference between a marathon vehicle and a pleasure cart.   While you can certainly wait your turn in the arena we will also have a variety of books and videos in the heated viewing area that you can peruse.

 

If you are interested in the horses that will be at the clinic a list is here - http://www.carriagedriving101.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-horses.html

 

Clinicians

Mike Wertz

 

Mike is the owner of Mike’s Carriage Service and together with his Percherons he has been doing parades, special events and downtown Pittsburgh tours for nearly 20 years.  Mike will be bringing a draft harness and one of his Percherons for you to experience.  One of the things that he will be spending quite a bit of the time speaking about is hauling carriages.  We’ll have three different trailer set-ups for you to see.  Show carriages are an investment, one you’ll want to protect when hauling.  Mike is also a good person to ask about ‘local’ driving resources.

 

Joyce Haak

Joyce is the primary driver of a mini pair named Trick and Treat.  The ‘boys’ do it all – pleasure shows, driving trials, and in-hand.  Joyce drove them to championships in 2012 at the Saratoga Driving Trial and the Susquehanna Valley Whips and Wheels Driving Trial.  They’ve also done parades in five different states.  Joyce will be introducing you to driving games – how to set up hazards and cones courses as well as how to drive them.  Bruce and Joyce are joining us from New York.

  

Bruce Haak

A farrier by trade, Bruce has driven a wide variety of horses.  While he is currently using Against the Best for the sleighing season his normal driving partner is Aiken, a Fjord.  Together they have competed at a variety of shows including the Saratoga Driving Trial, the Finger Lakes Fjord Show in addition to pleasure driving at the KY Horse Park and participating in Carriage Round-up and the National Drive.  Bruce will be demonstrating how to harness a horse and balance a carriage.

 

Kathleen Haak

Kathleen has driven singles, pairs, tandem and a four-in-hand.  She has achieved her Level 1 certificate with the Carriage Assoc. of American and is currently working on her Level 2.  Kathleen achieved a high level of success with Draken, her Standardbred, winning three National Championships.  Following the retirement of Draken, she started Against the Best in his pleasure-driving career.  Best and Kathleen currently up for national awards, they’ll find out the results on Sunday.  Kathleen will be bringing her hat and jacket collection to show you how to put together a show outfit.

Special guests - Mike Wilder and Mike Wertz

We've been lucky enough to have two special guests for the clinic, surprisingly both are named Mike!

Our first Mike, Mike Wilder will be our lunch time speaker and is brought to us by the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association. A native of Ohio, Mike developed an interest in horses through his stepfather who trained Standardbreds at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. He was well-know at Lebanon Raceway, where he won 13 driving titles, and he captured two driving championships at Scioto Downs before moving to The Meadows in 2001. Mike registered his 5,000th lifetime driving win in 2009. In 2012, he was one of nine drivers chosen to compete in The Battle of Pennsylvania Driving Challenge.  Mike will talk about what it takes to be a competitive race driver and how that differs from other types of driving.  He'll also be bringing along a race cart for you to examine.

Our second Mike is Mike Wertz, owner of Mike's Carriage Service. Mike and his Percherons have been doing parades, special events and downtown Pittsburgh tours for nearly 20 years.  At the height of the holiday season it is not unusual for them to appear at 4-5 different venues in one day.  That means organizing people, harness, carts, and horses for maximum efficiency.   Mike will be not only be bring draft harness with him, he'll also be bringing one of his trailers and a carriage.  He'll be showing you some of the easiest (and safest) ways to transport your carriage.  Show carriages are an investment that you'll want to protect.

The Horses!

Several people have asked about the horses that will be used at the clinic - who are they and what type of experience do they have.  While change is always possible right now we're intending to have Aiken, Against the Best and the minis, Trick and Treat, at the clinic.

Aiken is a 9 year-old Fjord who rides and drives.  He has competed at a variety of shows including the Saratoga Driving Trial, the Finger Lakes Fjord Show, and Tri-Valley Horseman Assoc. shows.  Additionally he has participated in the Parade of Breeds at the KY Horse Park, Carriage Round-up and the National Drive. He's also been known to haul a light log or two out of the woods.  Aiken currently holds the title of 'cutest horse in the barn' at Caustelot Farms where he is boarding.  He is typically driven by Bruce Haak but is currently on loan to Kathleen.

Against the Best retired from the racetrack two years ago with 274 starts.  He has made a successful transition to pleasure driving horse but excels at combined driving.  He does very well at cones and marathon, and is working on his collection to place higher in dressage.  He has been reserve champion at the Saratoga Driving Trial twice.  Best has participated in Equine Affaire (Ohio), the National Drive, Carriage Round-up and the KY Horse Park's Parade of Breeds in addition to several parades.  Best is typically driven by Kathleen Haak.

Joyce Haak is the primary driver of Trick and Treat, minis that she purchased on Halloween several years ago.  The 'boys' do it all - they have done pleasure shows, driving trials, and in-hand shows.  Joyce drove them to championships in 2012 at the Saratoga Driving Trial and the Susquehanna Valley Whips and Wheels Driving Trial.

They are 32-inch blue roans, as blue roans they change color year-round so you'll see pictures of them with really white coats in July to really dark coats in winter.

Other horses that may be at the clinic include:

The small but mighty Tell.  Tell has only been driving for a few months but he may be joining us to demonstrate a harness.  Eventually Tell will be joining Trick and Treat as either a unicorn or three-abreast hitch.

Draken is a three-time SPHO National Champion driving horse.  He has appeared at the World Equestrian Games, the Kentucky Horse Park, and various other venues over his career.  Draken was trained by Joyce Haak and driven by Kathleen Haak. At 22, Draken is pretty much retired but occasionally comes out to try new things.  In 2012, he drove tandem (one horse in front of another) with Best!  While Draken will probably stay home he has been know to make his way into the trailer unexpectedly.

Driving Games

Driving can be a lot of fun but sometimes driving in a ring or down the road can get a bit boring. Spice it up with cones, hazards, or games.

Cones classes are regularly found at pleasure shows and can range from the basic driving between two cones to Gambler's Choice, Progressive,Pick Your Route, etc. Joyce Haak will walk you through the basics and talk to you about how the rest are set up.

Interested in CDEs, HDTs or Arena Driving? Hazards are, for many, the funnest part of those types of competition.  While we probably will not have room for a true hazard we will talk about them and look at some diagrams of how to create one.

Games - oh, what fun you can have!  We've done games with everything from dunking for apples to hula hoops.  Don't discount traditional gymkhana games either!  Driving horses can weave poles, run barrels and basically turn and burn with the riding horses.

Joyce doing a hazard at the Saratoga Driving Trial

Pole Bending

Registration form

Need a registration form?  This is the link to the registration form, everyone should be able to open it.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6VS1ALS00owODdSRXJXS3pTVlU

Show Clothing

Whether you show in hunter seat equitation, western pleasure or carriage driving, attention to detail often makes the difference between a good performance and a ribbon-winning one. As exhibitors, it is important to realize that when two competitors are tied in performance, turnout is often considered as the tie-breaker.

Following “traditional” fashion guidelines,  driving attire not only has to fit well, and be complimentary to the individual’s figure, it must also coordinate well with their harness, vehicle, and of course, the horse.

Kathleen Haak will discuss competition show clothing, and how to put outfits together, as well as:

• Where to Buy Clothing in the Pittsburgh area
• Driving Aprons
• Footwear
• Makeup 
• Shopping on a Budget
• Rain Gear and Waterproofs
• The Proper Hat and How to Wear It

A variety of hats will be provided so that you can see how the shape and color of a hat accents your face.

Tipperary Farm

Tipperary Farm is located on over 150 acres in North Fayette Township, western Allegheny County, in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

The farm is only 30 minutes (non-rush hour) from downtown Pittsburgh and a short drive from The Pointe, The Mall at Robinson, and the North Fayette Township Municipal Complex. The 28 stall equestrian facility with attached 80 ft. x 200 ft. indoor riding arena enjoys beautiful views of the surrounding countryside from its ridge top location. Tipperary Farm specializes in Kerry Bog Ponies and Irish Draughts.  

Their goal is to provide a safe, educational and fun environment where children will be taught in group lessons on school owned horses and ponies. While we realize that many children dream of having their own pony, we have decided to focus on our lesson program using school owned "equine instructors". This means that our students will benefit from riding different horses and the horses will benefit from the school managed routine of regular exercise and care.

For more information on Tipperary Farm visit http://www.tipperaryfarm.com/

Many thanks to Tipperary Farm for allowing us to use their wonder facility for this event.

Tipperary Farm
1185 Stewart Road
McDonald, PA 15057