Divisions

Here is a list of the different competitive divisions being offered at the Villa Louis Carriage Classic:

• Country Vehicle
  • A division for single horses or ponies shown to four-wheeled carriages that are not cut-under - these vehicles would have been used in an everyday rural setting, examples include the doctor's buggy, democrat wagon, surrey, and runabout
• Draft Horse/Pony
  • A division for single draft horses or ponies - to qualify, the horse must have the overall body, bone, and hoof that presents a larger, heavier structure and form than that of light horses or light ponies. The Draft-type equine should give the impression of size and substance combined with a pleasant and mannerly behavior with balanced and powerful movement at all gaits. Each horse should present a picture of soundness, strength, sturdiness and a willingness to work.
• Junior
  • The youth of the driving world are featured in the junior division. To be eligible, drivers must be 18 years or younger. All junior drivers are required to wear safety helmets. Certain age groups require an adult to ride on the carriage with the child.
• Large Pony Open
  • Single entries of large ponies include ponies that are taller than 13.2 hh (54 inches), but not taller than 14.2 hh (58 inches).
• Multiples
  • A division where more than one horse is hitched to a vehicle testing the drivers skill in maneuvering 2 or more horses using different rein-handling techniques. Tandems (2 horses in a line), trandems (3 horses hitched side by side), randems (3 horses hitched in a line), unicorns (2 horses behind a single leader), and four-in-hands (2 pairs of horses hitched one pair in front [leaders] of the other pair [wheelers]) all compete in this division.
• Novice Driver Horse
  • A division for drivers of single horses that have not won at least one 1st placings in any of three seperate American Driving Society or United States Equestrian Federation events.
• Novice Driver Pony
  • A division for drivers of single ponies that have not won at least one 1st placings in any of three seperate American Driving Society or United States Equestrian Federation events.
• Novice Horse/Pony
  • A division for single horses and ponies. The equine may be inexperienced in driving events and that have not won at least one 1st placings in any of three seperate American Driving Society or United States Equestrian Federation events.
• Pairs
  • A division for entries showing two horses hitched side by side. Often a pair is shown to a four-wheeled vehicle, but special carts can be used to appropriately show a pair.
• Single Horse Open
  • An open division for single horses driven to a variety of carts and carriages.
• Small Pony Open
  • A division for single entries of small ponies. Small ponies are defined as those that are 9.3 hh (39 inches) and over but not taller than 13.2 hh (54 inches).
• Very Small Equine
  • A single entry division for very small equines. Very small equines include miniature horses, donkey, and mules that are less than 39 inches tall at the withers.