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