09.27.08
Carriage Drive/Ride 30th Anniversary of GSCA
For a few glorious September days, many lucky horse folks got to spend time driving and riding their horses in Newbury, NH. From September 4 through Sept. 7, dirt roads, trails, and old rail beds in Newbury were explored and enjoyed.
Peaches gets to come on many of the GSCA drives– she SO loves it!!! (And I get the BACK seat!)
This beautiful, flat 30-acre field was home base for campers and portable corrals, with an adjoining stream providing cooling waters.
In camp, an adorable pair of Minis– Bev S. drives while Dottie R. walks beside
People came from as far away as Maine and Vermont. Numerous horse breeds and colors were represented, such as Percheron, Belgians, Haflinger, minis, lineback dun Quarterhorse, Gypsy Vanner, Canadian, Paint, Morgan, Appy-Arab, Perch-Arab and many other styles.
Hospitality check-in for the drivers and guests
Visiting Gypsy Cob…
[Edited from Article for GSCA September Newsletter.]
This occasion marked the 30th Anniversary of Granite State Carriage Association’s founding in 1978. Maps and directions were given for making your own drive or ride-out locally. The yearly event was highlighted by the traditional Saturday afternoon BBQ chicken picnic. Not only a fun obstacle trail course, but a cones course and a dressage ring were offered for horse play.
Our pair-in-training play on the obstacle course!
The turnout was good, with over 100 in attendance this year. The GSCA 30th Anniversary Albums of pictures and club history were unveiled by Sonja C. and are available for $5 from the club.
New club logo polos and sweatshirts were brought out in several colors. After-dinner entertainment was provided by Auntie Henrietta, who made some good jokes at Cresca’s expense, telling “tales” of Cresca growing up which sounded as if she really knew her then! Threatening weather held off until the festivities were over.
The town of Newbury once again posted a digital warning sign alerting traffic to horses on the roads, which we feel is very helpful, and also supplied cones for our field courses setups.
Horse-camping with our boys…
…and relaxing in comfort!
Various routes to drive or ride included rural paved and dirt roads, recreational railroad beds and woods trails, grass roads along ponds and marshes, and passage through the local landmark of the “Newbury Cut,” an amazing dugout through solid rock for the railroad bed.
After the obstacle course play, our boys don’t blink at walking over a piece of plywood lying on a woods trail bridge. Note Peaches the coach dog!!! (She has been riding in carts and carriages with us since her puppyhood!)
On one woods trail we passed a sugaring shack, which bespoke a lot of history… plus stands of huge, ancient sugar maples which must have been over two hundred years old.
The trail itself, described to us as “a little rough” by Linda W., was steep and twisty with exposed roots and rocks; even so, it was navigable by a new pair pulling an Eagle combo carriage, driven by you-know-who. The two Perch-Arab brothers were well-accustomed to woods and bumpy tracks from their singles training.
Our brakes can be heard squeaking on this steep downhill section of woods trail. You can tell the carriage is trying to roll forward on its own by how loose the horses are in their traces.
Passing through the locally famous “Newbury Cut,” a gap hand cut and blasted through the rock for the railroad when originally built. In New Hampshire many former railroad beds have been preserved as recreational trails.
The Percheron “Tip” put to a forecart, driven by Bea McC.
Friend Bob C. (behind driver) plays on the obstacle course
Dad Moses and Peaches behind his Arabian-Percherons, Glendale and Gilford
Peaches running around all happy!
There was way too much unplanned excitement in the campground when Ginger’s horse, mostly hitched to her recently-restored antique buggy, took off at a flat-out gallop and made several circles around the huge field before allowing himself to be stopped. Luckily the wagon wasn’t overturned, nothing was run into, other horses didn’t escape their paddocks and no one was hurt. VERY luckily for Ginger, who was knocked down by the wagon wheels but escaped serious injury.
Cindy P. shares a bonding moment with her horse
The next day dawns misty, and the boys feel frisky in their pen so they horse around with each other!
Campers socializing…
and horses socializing.
A percheron “cousin” of our boys.
On this day’s drive, we coax the boys past unusual fauna at end of the rail bed, entering a construction storage yard…
…and let them partake of a well-earned drink set out for the horses who travel this route.
Passing us in opposite direction on a long loop route (above and in video): Tammy W. driving, Tammy’s friend riding an Appaloosa, and Elaine W. driving the Fjord accompanied by her dog Dolly
Trotting swiftly to make a highway crossing…
The boys became quite balky entering this working quarry, and didn’t want to go forward, a bit overwhelmed by the strangeness of things…
BARBECUE DAY!!! The word gets out, and Newbury local folks add to the merriment!
Durwin, Marty and Karen priming the chicken BBQ
MMMMMMMM!
Picknickers eagerly line up for servings
Cresca A. getting roasted by Auntie Henrietta!
Our 30th Anniversary celebration cake!
This Newbury Picnic Drive has been hosted and organized for 10 years by Linda W. and Marty N., and the club is quite grateful for their hard work and efforts. Other volunteers to be thanked include Oliver L. who served as Marty’s second-in-command, Bess P. for her homemade desserts, Durwin and Liz C. for meal preparation, Wil and Linda S. for water truck and everything-else help. There is an unbelievable amount of work which goes into making one of these events happen!
Ginger L. in her antique buggy, driving her Canadian gelding with her Hubby along…
Ginger and John sharing quality time together
Sadly, Linda and Marty have decided to retire from hosting this drive; unless other members can step up to run the drive in the future, this most popular event will not take place again. Members please attend the club’s Planning Meeting on November 1 and consider how the club might work together to continue the Newbury drive if possible.
Sunset over Glendale in Newbury camping field…
The last day we gave the boys a break, doing a little field schooling only. Dad did some transitions (halt to walk, walk to trot) and opened them up here for some cantering practice. Glen play-bucked a little the first time, and as usual pesters his big brother…
We left another successful outing well satisfied that they are ready for our next stop, Acadia National Park!
