OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHIES - 2026
Eduardo Mira Cruz (Associação Portuguesa de Atrelagem [Portuguese Carriage Driving Association] - International Guest Judge)
Terry Pickett (American Driving Society Registered "R" Pleasure Driving Judge)
Terry Pickett, ADS and USEF Registered “R” Judge
Raised in Illinois, Terry Pickett began his career in the horse industry in the early 1970s at Hawthorn-Mellody Farms in Libertyville, Illinois. The farm's renowned training and sales operation introduced him to the horse-and-carriage trade, where he quickly developed expertise showing Hackney horses in singles, tandems, pairs, and four-in-hand competition.
Terry's success with the Hawthorn-Mellody horses led him to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, where he served as coachman and had the honor of meeting President Gerald Ford and driving him around the island in July 1975. From there, Terry and his wife Laurie relocated to Salem, New Jersey, to work for the Seabrook family and Seabrook Farms, where he worked alongside legendary trainer Tom Ryder. Later, he became head trainer and coachman for August A. Busch's private stable at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, Missouri. There, he managed an extensive collection of horses and turnouts representing a wide variety of breeds and driving configurations.
Following positions with Cary Kennedy in Michigan and Robert Weaver in Illinois, Terry, Laurie, and their sons Jason and Korey settled at Audrey Rose's Squeaky Windmill Farm in Metamora, Michigan. During a career spanning more than fifty years, Terry has trained, exhibited, and managed horses throughout the United States, earning a reputation for excellence, horsemanship, and meticulous attention to detail.
Now retired from full-time training and residing in Frankfort, Michigan, Terry remains active, conducting lessons and clinics, performing carriage appraisals, and judging. He is a licensed judge with both the American Driving Society (ADS) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), holding cards in pleasure driving and coaching. In addition to judging ADS and USEF competitions, Terry has judged numerous Concours d'Attelage de Tradition (CAT) events, bringing decades of experience in coaching, traditional turnout presentation, and carriage evaluation to the show ring. Terry has also completed the Carriage Association of America's Driver Proficiency Program through its highest level and is an accredited Master Evaluator and Instructor. Known as a stickler for fine details, Terry brings a lifetime of experience and knowledge to every judging assignment.
Terry Pickett, ADS and USEF Registered “R” Judge
Raised in Illinois, Terry Pickett began his career in the horse industry in the early 1970s at Hawthorn-Mellody Farms in Libertyville, Illinois. The farm's renowned training and sales operation introduced him to the horse-and-carriage trade, where he quickly developed expertise showing Hackney horses in singles, tandems, pairs, and four-in-hand competition.
Terry's success with the Hawthorn-Mellody horses led him to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, where he served as coachman and had the honor of meeting President Gerald Ford and driving him around the island in July 1975. From there, Terry and his wife Laurie relocated to Salem, New Jersey, to work for the Seabrook family and Seabrook Farms, where he worked alongside legendary trainer Tom Ryder. Later, he became head trainer and coachman for August A. Busch's private stable at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, Missouri. There, he managed an extensive collection of horses and turnouts representing a wide variety of breeds and driving configurations.
Following positions with Cary Kennedy in Michigan and Robert Weaver in Illinois, Terry, Laurie, and their sons Jason and Korey settled at Audrey Rose's Squeaky Windmill Farm in Metamora, Michigan. During a career spanning more than fifty years, Terry has trained, exhibited, and managed horses throughout the United States, earning a reputation for excellence, horsemanship, and meticulous attention to detail.
Now retired from full-time training and residing in Frankfort, Michigan, Terry remains active, conducting lessons and clinics, performing carriage appraisals, and judging. He is a licensed judge with both the American Driving Society (ADS) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), holding cards in pleasure driving and coaching. In addition to judging ADS and USEF competitions, Terry has judged numerous Concours d'Attelage de Tradition (CAT) events, bringing decades of experience in coaching, traditional turnout presentation, and carriage evaluation to the show ring. Terry has also completed the Carriage Association of America's Driver Proficiency Program through its highest level and is an accredited Master Evaluator and Instructor. Known as a stickler for fine details, Terry brings a lifetime of experience and knowledge to every judging assignment.
Nicole Cable (American Driving Society Registered "R" Pleasure Driving Judge)
Ms. Cable owns and operates Silver Shoe Farm in Batavia, New York. She is a judge, equestrian trainer, and clinician. Additionally, she holds licenses with both the American Driving Society (ADS) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). She has served as the chair of the USEF carriage pleasure driving committee and on the boards of directors of the ADS and the Carriage Association of America (CAA). Ms. Cable has organized and hosted a pleasure driving show at her farm for over 10 years. She also travels throughout the United States and internationally, conducting clinics and officiating at driving events.
Ms. Cable’s passion for equestrian sports began early in life as she was born to an equestrian family. Her maternal grandfather was a Standardbred horse trainer, and nearly all her male ancestors were farriers. As a youngster, she could often be found at the racetrack, accompanying her father to the farrier shop, or by her grandfather’s side in the barns. Ms. Cable began showing horses at age 8 and has been showing successfully since. She competes in singles, pairs, tandems, unicorns, and four-in-hand entries at shows in the United States and Canada. Ms. Cable has trained many different equestrian breeds and produced numerous champions in carriage driving, and is a well-recognized and respected trainer. Her show success has yielded several Devon Horse Show pony championships with various ponies; she has been awarded the Best Ladies Turnout at Walnut Hill Farm Driving Competition, along with championships in singles, tandem, and unicorn classes. She has also produced the Hackney Carriage Driving Horse of the Year.
In her free time, Ms. Cable enjoys sharing her passion for horses with her son, Anthony, whom she proudly reports is her greatest achievement. She also enjoys watching Anthony play baseball; in 2026, Anthony broke the Pembroke High School batting record. Ms. Cable has also recently become a triathlete, completing her sixth triathlon in 2026!
Ms. Cable owns and operates Silver Shoe Farm in Batavia, New York. She is a judge, equestrian trainer, and clinician. Additionally, she holds licenses with both the American Driving Society (ADS) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). She has served as the chair of the USEF carriage pleasure driving committee and on the boards of directors of the ADS and the Carriage Association of America (CAA). Ms. Cable has organized and hosted a pleasure driving show at her farm for over 10 years. She also travels throughout the United States and internationally, conducting clinics and officiating at driving events.
Ms. Cable’s passion for equestrian sports began early in life as she was born to an equestrian family. Her maternal grandfather was a Standardbred horse trainer, and nearly all her male ancestors were farriers. As a youngster, she could often be found at the racetrack, accompanying her father to the farrier shop, or by her grandfather’s side in the barns. Ms. Cable began showing horses at age 8 and has been showing successfully since. She competes in singles, pairs, tandems, unicorns, and four-in-hand entries at shows in the United States and Canada. Ms. Cable has trained many different equestrian breeds and produced numerous champions in carriage driving, and is a well-recognized and respected trainer. Her show success has yielded several Devon Horse Show pony championships with various ponies; she has been awarded the Best Ladies Turnout at Walnut Hill Farm Driving Competition, along with championships in singles, tandem, and unicorn classes. She has also produced the Hackney Carriage Driving Horse of the Year.
In her free time, Ms. Cable enjoys sharing her passion for horses with her son, Anthony, whom she proudly reports is her greatest achievement. She also enjoys watching Anthony play baseball; in 2026, Anthony broke the Pembroke High School batting record. Ms. Cable has also recently become a triathlete, completing her sixth triathlon in 2026!
Dr. James Thomas (American Driving Society Registered "R" Pleasure Driving Technical Delegate)
Dr. James Thomas began his involvement in equine competition in the 1990s. His driving career started in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with miniature horses. After relocating to Kansas, he expanded his involvement in the sport, driving a Morgan horse as well as Welsh ponies in both single and pair classes. Dr. Thomas has competed successfully in combined driving and pleasure shows throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Outside of the equestrian world, Dr. Thomas served for 30 years as an officer in the United States Army, followed by 14 years as an Army civilian. Now retired from military service, he continues to support the driving community as an official, course designer, and volunteer at numerous events.
Dr. Thomas is licensed by the American Driving Society as both a Pleasure Driving and Combined Driving Technical Delegate and has officiated at events across the United States and in Canada. He currently serves on the ADS Board of Directors and is Chair of the ADS Rulebook Committee.
Dr. Thomas and his wife, Gail, make their home in Ocala, Florida, where they drive Dartmoor ponies and VSEs for pleasure and competition. His current driving project is a pair of Dartmoor ponies.