| Visitor Guide 2024 |
Class Information
Most of the classes at the Villa Louis Carriage Classic are offered within a "division" - the divisions are separations based upon sizes of the animal (miniature vs. pony vs. horse), experience of the horse or driver (novice vs. limit vs. open), and the number and conformation of the horses or ponies (pairs, multiples [more than two horses hitched together]). Most divisions offer three arena classes:
*Turnout - judged mainly on how well horse and carriage function together and cleanliness of entire outfit
*Reinsmanship - judged mostly on driver's abilities to control the horses and drive the carriage
*Working - emphasis is placed upon the performance and manners of the horse
Along with these are three obstacle classes for each division:
*Timed Obstacles ("Cones") - fastest time wins through paired traffic cones
*Cross Country Pace - simulates a country drive - turnouts with lowest number of course faults win
*Gambler's Choice - obstacles each with a point value depending on difficulty - after time expires, highest score wins
There are also a variety of "non-divisional" classes for the enjoyment of the audience
*Gentlemen's Driving Class -~3:30 p.m. Saturday - Main Arena - a class of all male drivers
*Drive & Ride -~3:20 - 4:00 p.m. Saturday - Main Arena - horses are first driven then saddled and ridden
*Attendant's Class - ~1:30 p.m. Sunday - grooms and helpers are judged as they drive in this class
*Picnic Class ~ 12:00 p.m. on Saturday - entries present a judged picnic on the lawn of the Villa Louis
*Carriage Dog Class ~12:00 p.m. on Sunday - the primary judging is on the dogs that accompany each carriage *Ladies' Driving Class - ~10:00 p.m. Sunday - a class for female drivers only
*Concours d'Elegance - ~4:00 p.m. Sunday - the final class - by invitation, the most elegant of the show are featured
*Turnout - judged mainly on how well horse and carriage function together and cleanliness of entire outfit
*Reinsmanship - judged mostly on driver's abilities to control the horses and drive the carriage
*Working - emphasis is placed upon the performance and manners of the horse
Along with these are three obstacle classes for each division:
*Timed Obstacles ("Cones") - fastest time wins through paired traffic cones
*Cross Country Pace - simulates a country drive - turnouts with lowest number of course faults win
*Gambler's Choice - obstacles each with a point value depending on difficulty - after time expires, highest score wins
There are also a variety of "non-divisional" classes for the enjoyment of the audience
*Gentlemen's Driving Class -~3:30 p.m. Saturday - Main Arena - a class of all male drivers
*Drive & Ride -~3:20 - 4:00 p.m. Saturday - Main Arena - horses are first driven then saddled and ridden
*Attendant's Class - ~1:30 p.m. Sunday - grooms and helpers are judged as they drive in this class
*Picnic Class ~ 12:00 p.m. on Saturday - entries present a judged picnic on the lawn of the Villa Louis
*Carriage Dog Class ~12:00 p.m. on Sunday - the primary judging is on the dogs that accompany each carriage *Ladies' Driving Class - ~10:00 p.m. Sunday - a class for female drivers only
*Concours d'Elegance - ~4:00 p.m. Sunday - the final class - by invitation, the most elegant of the show are featured