42/ JULY 2010 THE RIDER The Carriage Driver
Ruth Vale: committing to partnering with the horse, in driving, riding and much more
By Brooklynn A. Welden
Although she had been riding horses since her early teen years, Ruth faced a choice with her first purchased mare, a thoroughbred cross descended from Northern Dancer lines: Either put her down or learn how to work with her. At nine, the mare was underweight and had been on the market for months. Fortu-
nately, Ruth met up with Janet Chuch- man, a local FEI level competitor and rid- ing instructor. With time and care, the mare blossomed and a relationship of trust developed between Ruth and the animal, leading to a treasured partnership that lasted for eight years, when Ruth retired her to a good home. By then the mare was so reliable she could be ridden on the
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busy roads by a competent, quiet rider — even a child could ride her safely under supervision. Ruth said that she learned patience, when and how to negotiate, when to back off and how to carry on a conversation with the animal, rather than push or dominate.
By 1998, Ruth was uncertain how much longer she could continue riding, and bought a young, green-broke Morgan, Whippoorwill Amulet (Whippoorwill Locket by Sereno Dandy Vermont), a 22nd generation “founda- tion Morgan horse,” with the intent to drive him. The versatility of the Morgan made him perfect for her needs. “Bounce”—his barn name — was inspired by his athletic airs above the ground at two. He still enjoys the chance to unsettle the rider who isn’t prepared to sit his bouncing trot.
Ruth started him in harness herself when he was two and half, putting him to the drag and working him on the ground. That winter, he harrowed the arena weekly and worked in-hand long-lining. Ruth put him under saddle with light-weight riders for casual short rides and then had a professional put him to the cart in time for his third birthday. They began that year to show lightly under harness in dressage and cones, the first ele- ments of Combined Driving. Ruth did not ride him her- self until he was five, after a medium-level rider had schooled him for a while. Now fourteen, he is safe for a middle-aged rider, with a full repertoire of driving, dres- sage, trail riding and work in hand. Ruth has developed skills in long-lining and continues to work him up the levels.
Ruth credits Bounce as the reason she is still able to ride, noting that Bounce’s calm and willing tempera- ment combined with carefully planned, systematic schooling, which also strengthened her and allowed time to recover from old riding injuries. Now in her mid- 50s, Ruth continues to ride Bounce four to six times per week. This partnership has reached 2nd level dressage in private lessons. His late maturation also meant that Ruth has had to rebuild her cart this year, widening the shafts to fit him.
Today Ruth divides her time between profes- sional activities and horses — and the latter keeps her sane! Ruth offers lessons to a select number of students in driving, riding, and on the lunge-line, using Bounce as a school master. She continues to work in hand on the double-lines. Bounce is an enthusiastic partner in all these activities. Ruth prefers Combined Driving because it offers the opportunity to drive alone in the competition ring and allows the driver to con- centrate on driving. To Ruth, this reduces signif- icantly the risk of interference by other hitches and also permits the horse to focus on the driv- er’s voice. Ruth is committed to slow progress to ensure that basic lessons for horse and rider are learned well.
In 2000, Ruth began photographing equestrian activities at local club shows. She was particu-
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Creekside Carriages
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