Sunday October 5, 2008. Roger and Kelly Davidson attended the Joe Daehling Drive, near Elk Grove, CA. Roger drove Colliery Alick, with guest, Lisa Walker, on the back step. Kelly drove her Welsh Cob mare, Clanfair Chanel. Beautiful day, perfect setting, and a lot of fun. Many thanks to Joe and his wife for hosting the event.
October 13 - 19, 2008: Roger spent time in South Carolina, working 1-on-1 with Muffy Seaton, many times US Pony Combined Driving champion in pairs and multiples. He learned to handle pairs, four in hand and a tandem of minis. On his last day, Roger took part in an Arena Driving Trial (ADT) at Muffy's Shepherd's Purse Ranch, and won the Pairs Pony Training class. See Photo Gallery #13 for pictures of Roger driving a variety of ponies and minis at Muffy's farm
October 25, 2008: Roger drove Colliery Alick, (The Black Shaggy Pony), to 3rd place in a Preliminary Single Pony class at Clay Station Horse Driving Trial (HDT) in Wilton, CA. A moderate dressage test, followed by very fast cones and a solid effort over 7.8 km on the marathon. Owner, Kelly Davidson, was on the back step.
October 26, 2008: Roger rode as navigator behind client, Kelly Davidson, as she drove her Welsh Cob mare, Clanfair Chanel, to 3rd place in a Training Single Pony class at Clay Station HDT in Wilton, CA. Chanel became very fired up in dessage, did a steady round in cones, and surprised and delighted both owner and trainer on the 7.7 km marathon stage.
October 26, 2008: Liz rode Kelly Davidson's Dales Pony mare, Red Prairie Rose in a Trail Trial at Napa, CA. They finished 3rd of 19 in class, only 2 points behind 2nd place. Rose was easily the least experienced pony in the class, so showed excellent adaptability, and won many new admirers of the Dales Pony breed. The ride organizer wants one!
November 1, 2008: Liz rode Red Pairie Rose in a Trail Trial at Mariposa, CA. The weather featured heavy rain and the trails were muddy. Rose found the going difficult and Liz retired after 5 of the 8 obstacles.
October/November, 2008: Alick and Roger appear on the cover of the British magazine, The Native Pony. This magazine is sold in retail newstands in Britain, and is available worldwide by subscription. Now the whole world can see 'The Black Shaggy Pony' in action.
Sunday, November 16. Roger and Liz took part in a Pleasure Drive, organized by the Central Valley Miniature Horse Club, round vineyards near Lodi, CA. The weather was perfect, Alick behaved like a gentleman in mixed company, and Liz got to drive in open spaces for the first time. Many thanks to Neva Goodwin for hosting the drive. Looking forward to the 2009 event already.
Saturday, December 6. Woodland Stallion Station (WSS) hosted its annual Tea Drive in the farm land and vineyards behind the station. Roger drove Alick, with Shela Greenlaw alongside and Kelly Davidson drove her Dales Pony mare, Dessie. It was a lovely day, once the fog lifted. Many thanks to Ann Taylor for making WSS available and Shelley Shavoor for organizing the drive. This was the 14th annual Tea Drive, and had the largest ever turnout of rigs.
Liz Balke has won her class in both the CSHA California State and Region 5 2008 Trail Trials championships, successfully defending the titles she won in 2007. Well done, Liz.