FEBRUARY 2014 THE RIDER /35 Monster Mini CDE 2014


beach in Jamaica shortly after New Year’s 2014…my thoughts were already in Windsor S.C. and the upcoming Monster Mini CDE. As an avid VSE (Very Small Equine) owner and driver, I am excited by this annual event planned


By Mary Baillie As I was sitting on the


driver himself, he wanted to develop a competitive sport for carriage driving .There are three separate events which make up the CDE. There are several levels of competition from Training to Advanced. The first phase is a driven dres- sage test which like ridden dressage, asks for horses to


are gated puzzles made of fence panels or other obsta- cles containing 4-6 gates or gaps marked A to F. All gates are flagged red on the right and must be taken in order and in the right direc- tion Lower level competi- tors need only do gates ABC while advanced drivers must negotiate all


Event is a three phase com- petition along the lines of the Three Day Event for riders. The sport was start- ed by Prince Philip of Britain . An avid carriage


for the little guys which draws competitors from around the US and of course the Canadian Snow- birds already in Aiken for the season. A Combined Driving


move in balance and cor- rect alignment while they perform the required pat- tern. Precision and quality of movement are scored by the judge as they are in Dressage. The second phase is a


marathon drive of several kilometres (up to 10-12 for horses). Along the flagged cross country course there are several hazards. . These


of them. Much time is taken walking these “haz- ards” on foot to learn the optimal route for each competitor. Marathons are completed at the trot between hazards and as fast as one dares within the “puzzles”. This makes it a very exciting event! The third and final test


is driving through a set course of 20 pairs of cones with balls resting on the top of each cone. The distance between the cones is reset for each car- riage to allow a clearance of about 30 centimetres or 6 inches. Competitors must complete the course accurately within the allotted time. Any balls knocked down and times slower than the speed assigned earns penalties. Any cones taken in the


the first day this year was wet and cool and I assumed the worst…that it would be pouring during my dres- sage test. Fortunately the


tors have never driven a CDE before and the friend- ly “you can do it” atmo- sphere along with lots of help from officials and other drivers help many experience their first driv- ing competition. The stan- dard comment from com- petitors was “that was TOO much fun”! The weather report for


started 5 years ago really as a fun event to thank the volunteers for the Aiken Driving Club, many of whom were mini owners and drivers. Nancy Tomlin- son had a vision of a fun and friendly CDE designed for the little guys, not just scaled down from a regular CDE. Many of the competi-


over the world and are par- ticularly popular in Europe and Great Britain. One can compete in several cate- gories depending on the equine’s type and number. VSEs to horses and singles to pairs and 4 in hands as well as tandems compete with others in the same cat- egory. Very small equines are relatively new to CDE’s and many still think that they are not up to the job. I disagree! With some consideration given to their diminutive stature, a prop- erly conditioned and trained Mini or VSE is very capable of competing in all phases of competi- tion. Also, with the ever increasing popularity of these small equines, we need to push for their acceptance in the “big boy sports”. The Monster Mini was


wrong order will eliminate the competitor from all three events. CDE’s take place all


my favorite phase, is always an exciting time. Trying to execute the haz- ards without errors and quickly takes a lot of preparation, steady nerves and quick thinking on the


opportunity to redo the test before a new judge and turn myself out in show clothes instead of rain gear. I was pleased to find that I had the second best dres- sage test of the show. After dressage we headed over to do our cones. The cones course was challenging with many compact turns and combinations, not the usual spread out courses we find at Big horse CDE’s. It was a fun, flow- ing course to drive but I had a couple of balls down within the allowed time. Archie made some tight turns in good balance and I was pleased with our per- formance overall. The marathon, which is


rain held off until my test in the early afternoon and by the time I was done there was thunder and lightning! The show was therefore suspended until the following day. Warrior completed his test in a nice soft frame, despite the inclement weather. The next day, I had the


fly. Instant communication with your horse is so important if one is to nego-


kind in that it is aimed at small equines .I hope with the ever increasing num-


tiate the hazards accurately and in good time! In addi- tion it is a time to have some fun with attire and coloured silks, helmet cov- ers and coordinating equip- ment for horse and car- riage. Apart from driver confusion in the first haz- ard, Archie and I had a smooth and successful per- formance…and a lot of fun!


Crawford-Mackay was sec- ond overall with Lil Bit and I was third with Arrow Warrior which was a big improvement over my elimination last year!! This event is one of a


In Memoriam: Gerald T. McCallum (1936 - 2014) Photo Credit: Jeff Kohler 2014 Schedule of Events


May 10th OCDA Introduction to Carriage Driving Clinic – Relhok Farm Barrie This is a great clinic for anyone exploring or getting into the sport, offering the participant a safe and educated way to get involved in car- riage driving. Discussion and hands on sessions on Safety, choosing the right equipment, harnessing, putting to, longlining and much more. May 25th Indoor Driving Trial – Rae Fischer’s Farm Listowel Modeled after a combing driving event this indoor driving trial allows entries to perform a dressage test and do a combination of cones and 2 Obstacles. Spectators welcome! June 15th OCDA Horse Driving Trial Dressage and Obstacles - Glencameron Farm Georgetown A horse driving trial is an abbreviat- ed CDE – at this event Entries will perform a dressage test and then do a condensed Marathon and Obstacles.


test entries in Cones and offer a Marathon and Obstacle in the after- noon.


July 12-13th OCDA Pleasure Driv- ing Show at Iron Horse –Burling- ton A two day Pleasure driving show with Divisions for Single Horse & Pony, Very small Equine, Novice, Junior, multiple and utility vehicle (allows for people to show in train- ing vehicles to explore the aspect of showing). Participants will show in classes for turnout, Reinsmanship, Working and Cones. Sunday morn- ing will also offer Dressage Divi- sions. Aug 24th – OCDA Horse Driving trial-Cones & Obstacles This Horse driving Trial will


for all our events, and it is a great way for people to not only offer their time but also learn about the sport and the behind the scenes of show- ing. A wide variety of jobs are avail- able for all abilities.


Volunteers are always needed


Ottawa, ON, January 31, 2014 - Equine Canada would like to extend condo- lences to the family and friends of Ger- ald T. McCallum of Loretto, ON. McCallum passed away peacefully at his home on January 11, 2014 at the age of 77.


asset to the equestrian sport as Director of the Canadian Equestrian Federation (now known as Equine Canada), Senior Pleasure Driving Judge, Senior Coach- ing Judge and Pleasure Driving Techni- cal Delegate Recorded ‘r’ for the Ameri- can Driving Society, Equine Canada and United States Equestrian Federation.


of the Central Ontario Pleasure Driving Association. His accolades included president, competitor, clinician and gen- eral all over supporter. McCallum was known to always offer his help, guid- ance and time. McCallum was also an invaluable


ing community and enjoyed a long and successful career in the equestrian world. McCallum’s accomplishments over the years include competitor, orga- nizer, official, volunteer, horseman, coach, judge and rider. In 1977, McCallum became a part


McCallum was a pillar in the driv-


Champion, 1998 Runabout Champi- on, 1987, 1993 and 2001 Pair Champion at CCDC and Walnut Hill, and North American Champion Four-In-Hand. McCallum went on to become one


successful career included many acco- lades and champi- onship titles. McCal- lum was the first recipient of the Free- dom Sportsmanship Award at the Cana- dian Carriage Driv- ing Classic (CCDC) voted on by competi- tors. He was also the 1987


Amateur


knowledge, skills and fine points of driving turnouts and horsemanship, to all.


in the preservation of the traditions of carriage driving; he passed on his


of the finest carriage drivers, trainers, and greatest supporter of the North American driving community. With his insistence on correct behaviour from the horses/ponies under his tutelage, the very best possible turn-out in every detail, proper driver position and dress on the box seat, many champions came onto the driving scene. McCallum was a true ambassador


lum family, or share tributes, memories, and photos, please visit Rod Abrams Funeral Home.


be made to the Canadian Diabetes Asso- ciation or the Canadian Cancer Society. To offer condolences to the McCal-


McCallum’s knowledge and the depth of his experience and he helped grow the sport in Ontario. He knew his horses, he knew his turnout and he knew the rules of the sport. Donations in McCallum’s memory can


Many drivers, benefited from His incredibly My friend Sharon


for sure!


sor Trace for hosting the event, to the Aiken Driving club volunteers for all their hard work and especially to Nancy Tomlinson for her vision and continued enthusiasm for this special competition. I will be back next year


bers of small equine own- ers and the popularity of this event, more show com- mittees will welcome VSE’s to their competi- tions. They deserve respect for all they can do! Many thanks to Wind-


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