George Horsford / Daily Sun Claire Reid drives her Welsh Mountain Pony driven carraige to a first place ribbon in the Pony Multiple Four-In-Hand competition of the Florida Carriage Museum and Resort's annual Prestige Driving Competition.

Hold your horses: Participants from across country, Canada turn out for driving competition

By AZIA LI FORREST, DAILY SUN

WEIRSDALE — Beauty, elegance, skill and speed. These are just a few of the characteristics of the “turnout,” or overall presentation judges were watching for as drivers modeled their carriages one by one Saturday, the first day of the 2008 Austin Horse Park Pleasure Driving Competition.

It was the fourth such competition hosted by the Florida Carriage Museum and Resort, 3000 Marion County Road.

Competitors came from all over the country and Canada to compete in a variety of classes sanctioned by the American Driving Society.

The variety of carriages ran the spectrum, from those with miniature horses to those led by four horses. All the drivers were dressed in traditional pleasure driving and conservative attire.

“There is a very appropriate attire that each gentleman, and lady and the staff on the back of the carriage have to wear,” said Melissa Warner, equine manager and show organizer, who was wearing a navy-blue suit with a matching hat trimmed in gold. “It’s a particular style or livery.”

Among the participants was 10-year-old Laney Egyed, competing in the junior division of the carriage dog class event.

“I’m a little nervous,” said the Parrish resident as she sat quietly in her carriage next to her mother, Marna. Her Morgan horse, Windy, was leading her carriage.

Like the competitors, spectators come from all over the country to watch the show.

Kentucky resident Elaine Gibala came at 8 a.m. in pouring rain to see the horses and their drivers.

“I recently got an interest in driving myself and I wanted to see how other people were doing it,” she said. “I usually go to driving shows of a different kind. These people are awesome because it’s a very time-consuming, gross effort to do this.”

Judi Belinsky, a Topsfield, Mass., resident was visiting family and friends in Florida and wanted to see something new.

“It’s just gorgeous and the horses are beautiful,” she said. “I’m excited to see more.”

Glenn Demers brought his family and friends to see the museum and the competition.

“The town of Hamilton near us is cross country also,” the Bostonian said, “and they have similar events. The way people dress — so formal — brings back memories.”

Warner is hoping the event will bring the sport of treasure driving and the museum to another level of appreciation.

“People come to this because they want to see the horses and carriages come alive,” she said.

The Pleasure Driving Competition will continue from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Ribbons and awards will be distributed at about 3:30 p.m., Warner said.

Azia Li Forrest is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9069, or azia.forrest@thevillagesmedia.com.