Last year Duane, a client of Rick's who has Shires, mentioned the possibility of using Brian in 2012 but hasn't said anything since – until Brian was in Texas. That left precious little time to prepare; Brian got home Monday night and the Fair started today!
We ferried Brian out to Duane's Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights for him to practice with his team. Nin and Coalie are both 21-year-old veterans, perfect for a 10-year-old to learn with. He started with "the tire," and then graduated to a two-wheeled cart. Making the jump from the two-wheeled cart to the big show wagon at the Fair seems like a mighty big leap to me, but Duane assures me that Brian is a natural and will have no problems. And Duane will be sitting on the bench beside him in the class, just in case.
So. We will be spending Sunday at the Fair. Brian (and probably his parents) will help clean harness and whatever else needs doing until his class in the afternoon. You know there will be lots more photos. ;-)
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| Nin on the left; Coalie on the right |
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| Gratuitious cuteness in "extra-large" |
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15 comments:
OMG! What beautiful horses and what a thrill this will be for Brian! Yes, yes, lots more pictures, please!
I LOVE those horses!!! Yes, yes, yes! I'm with Mama Pea ~ More pictures, please! I am such a lover of the big breeds.
What an amazing experience for all of you. I can't wait to hear how he does.
Such majestic animals, how can you not love them?
WTG driving a team of draft horses is a wonderful experience and a trip back in history. My Grandfather drove a team in Nothern California in the late 1800's as that was the only way to get supplies to the small remote town where they lived. My daughter has driven a team of draft horses for local dude ranch here in the past. Lost art, so take lots more pictures.
Ok going to 6th attempt at word verification.
Brian is a natural driver :-D.
He's pretty excited -- and a little nervous, too. About driving in the ring, not the big horses. He's been sitting on the backs of these big beauties since before he was a year old....
There will be more; I promise!
Doing well in the show would be icing on the cake. :-)
Looks like WV finally cooperated with you, Tombstone. Sorry it's such a pain!
That's right; I had forgotten he drove Handy at Equinox Farm! He's also driven my friend's miniature horses, so he's not completely new to driving, just to driving these big guys and more than one at a time.
How exciting! I know he can do it. It's so great to see some of the old practices still being honored at State Fairs and that children are still learning them.
These horses are beautiful. The second photo is wonderful. It shows the strength of these horses.
Good luck to Brian.
What a wonderful opportunity for Brian! Those horses are beautiful! Hope he has a fun time at the fair! (and you guys too!)
We have 8 (count em; EIGHT) 6 horse draft hitches in our county - they always do horse shows at our fair - it is wonderful to see. And the colts - big goofy babies, aren't they? T.
What a wonderful opportunity for Brian. I'm so excited for him (and you). He'll do great, I am sure, and the main thing is he is gonna do it!
Wow! That is soooo cooool. I'm very excited for Brian. I can't believe how tall he is now, he's grown much in the last few years that I've followed your blog. He'll do fine.
My Grandpa tells me that at the age of 8 he was harnessing the family mule (he had to stand on a box) and plowing for the one acre kitchen garden his mother kept; by age 10 he could harness the horse team and drive the wagon to town to get supplies. I believe Brian is learning so much more than just driving. :-)
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