Last weekend we had a chance to do our own “fun” carriage competition in Tennessee, called “A Traditional Day of Driving”. It was held on a beautiful property in the hills of Tennessee where spring is bursting, and so were the skies, with rain....all weekend. The conjoined farms owned by Donny and Laura Nuessle and Brenda Aiken Sweeney and Jim Sweeney totals 400 acres of Tennessee beauty near Nashville. But the rains did not dampen the spirit of the event, which started with a home made pizza party for Friday night arrivals, and ended with a Derby Party followed by awards and scrumptious chicken dinner featuring fresh asparagus from the garden, and a desert extravaganza.
The event begn with "presentation" and had a challenging cones and driving skills course, as well as a scavenger hunt, and well marked drive across the property. Many different breeds of ponies and horses were there as well as beautiful carriages, about 20 entries overall, and friendly happy people. We camped in our RV right in the front field, and Buddy camped in his trailer, yet another advantage to owning a pony, you can pretty much take them anywhere! I got a chance to wear my new hat from
Hat’s Off Boutique, and drive my new Hardwick’s Tadpole Cross Country vehicle. The builder
Russ Hardwick even designed a custom seat for Tasha, who rode with me throughout the entire competition. In spite of a few baubles, we managed to finish second overall, and take home a blue and red ribbon.
These people know how to have a good time!
