Ode To Columbus Carriage Classic

The 2010 Columbus Carriage Classic is now history and what a lovely show it was. Organizer Nancy Osterhaus and her team continued the tradition of excellence that is synonymous with the show. The pork dinner was sublime as always, the Caribbean pool party was a nice addition to social activities and highlighted the gorgeous pool that we'd never seen before, but sat at the edge of the show. Frey Carriage Company held their annual reception on Saturday night, which is ever a treat for the carriage driving fraternity with great vehicles, accessories and accouterments on display. The weather held for us and gave us excellent driving under sometimes sunny, sometimes overcast skies with a soft breeze.

But what must stand out above all else is the company. We were stabled with Milady Martha Stover [who could not win a ribbon that wasn't blue, and took Concours d'Elegance Honors with the superlative Lisa, her welsh pony] and the Zaettas, Marilyn and Jerry [who we are now energetic fans of], Vicki and Jim Bodoh and Micheal Scott. Reuben and Florence Franz were there to greet us and looked after my family who came to watch on Saturday by giving them their extra sponsorship passes. Lucy was on high social butterfly deportment and endeared herself into the hearts of many. [In fact, Lucy spent two nights in a hotel, while I camped.]

Laurie Renda and Harold Ault helped Don Pecos and I through the show with very respectable placings in an insanely hard Open Horse Division. It seemed everyone was at the top of their game and I think we did a fine job of impressing the Canadian judges with our Midwestern carriage horses. I know I was proud to be in such good company in and out of the show ring.

I spent a bit of time drumming up entires for New Moon Carriage Classic and the response was very positive. The date, one week after Villa Louis, is a sticking point, of course, but after giving my pitch to those who were dubious, they warmed to the idea. I certainly hope that I can put on as good a show as Nancy did last week. Between Columbus and Villa Louis, I have a high bar to achieve.

Thanks to everyone who made the Columbus Carriage Classic possible. Your hard work and determination are not lost on the Serendipity team. I look forward to returning next year. Alas, that is all the time I have for reminiscing on to Skunk River this weekend, North Star next week and Metamora the week after that. Blogs many be few and far between, but I'll try to write at least a couple.

Hope you are enjoying the summer so far.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Promoting the Sport of Carriage Driving

When I tell someone I do carriage driving, the first thing that comes to their mind is a white Victoria parked outside a church waiting for the bride and groom. The second thing is an old Vis a vis parked outside the state capital or in Central Park. I've started saying that I do competition carriage driving and that seems to spark their imagination. But it seems that those of us who participate and are passionate about this sport need to get together and develop a marketing strategy to build awareness for carriage driving.

I was discussing this last night with Harold Ault, Theresa Burns and Harley Weyer over dinner and wine. [Always the best way to get an idea blooming!] It was a fascinating conversation, not simply because of the quality of the company, but also because of the diversity of driving experience around the table. Harold, of course is the carriage collector and has been parked out in front of the church and the capital on many occasions, in the typical person's knowledge of carriage driving. Theresa has been involved in carriage driving pleasure shows and combined driving events and has considerable experience driving multiples. Harley came to horses after a lifetime of wanting them and now has a team of draft horses that he uses to farm his land. [Which is probably about the coolest thing. Ever.]

We agreed that educating the public about the history, and the subsequent evolution of the sport was the key to bringing more people to it. Did we solve the problem of how to do it? Well, we have a start and that is the New Moon Carriage Classic to be held in Perry, IA on September 18 &19, 2010. Because the city of Perry has been so enthusiastic about hosting the show, we must take this opportunity to draw in the crowds and wow them. As organizers of a carriage driving event, there are so many details to attend to, that often the promotion to a wider audience is an after thought. Not in this case. We are dedicated to a bigger picture while putting on the finest show possible for exhibitors, for spectators, for Perry.

If you have special skills or talents that might help us achieve this end, please let us know. Come be a part of carriage driving history that is thriving today and striving for tomorrow.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Countdown to the Iowa Horse Fair

Tired, tired muscles- poor lethargic, winter weakened things have been getting a workout this week. The body just can't keep up with the mind, which is so very excited about everything.

Iowa Horse Fair preparations are speeding up, since the date is rapidly approaching. I have made several summer weight, reversible lap aprons that I'm very proud of to put in the booth. I have acquired 6 horse related antique prints, the rare and out of print book list is coming along and when I get all the details sorted out, I will list them. Martha Stover is feverishly working on sample rain covers for the gig seat to promote her talents. Judy McClure of The Hat Shop is choosing a selection of superb men's hats, including a grey top hat, several Panamas, Fedoras and natty woolen News Boy Caps to place on consignment.

And you're hearing it here first: Harold is placing some antique furniture on consignment! I am most excited about this, not only will it make the booth look marvelous, he is going to actually sell something. What was that noise? Dear readers' jaws dropping on the desk? Probably. One of the best pieces he said I could take [which I loaded into the horse trailer and packed other things in back of as fast as my aforementioned tired muscles could before he changed his mind] is an antique toboggan. Harold's take on it is that someone took the runners off a full sized sleigh, fashioned a long toboggan seat and attached pony thills, so the pony could pull the children around. Unfortunately the thills [shafts] are missing, but you can see where they attached. It is soooooo sweet.

Harold has also lent me two antique glass display cabinets that I will put all of Judy's fabulous hats in, a few of the rarer books and a pair of carriage lamps that I took while Harold wasn't looking. I didn't steal them. Exactly. But, I am in possession of them and currently trying to persuade him to part with them. He did say, "Maybe."

Mark your calendars! April 10 & 11th, Varied Industry Building, Iowa State Fairgrounds. Come see the booty! Bring your checkbooks: carriage booths stocked like this don't happen very often!

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Some Very Exciting News

NEW MOON CARRIAGE CLASSIC

SEPTEMBER 18, 19, 2010

IOWA STATE FAIRGROUNDS

Well, we've done it: taken the plunge into the pleasure driving show arena, this time as organizers instead of exhibitors. Harold Ault and I are very excited about announcing this news. The New Moon Carriage Classic will offer the typical pleasure show classes: turnout, reinsmanship, working pleasure, gambler's choice, pick your route and fault obstacles. It will also offer training and preliminary dressage classes and a marathon vehicle division for those who normally show in combined driving events. Sadly, for Edward Cullen fans, there will be no vampires.

This is a gargantuan undertaking, but both Harold and I feel it is time. We both have experience in organizing large scale events and look forward to producing a top competition. The judges are hired, the classes defined, but we still have more details to confirm. There will be plenty of volunteer opportunities available and you will be hearing a lot more about this in the coming months as the needs are determined. If you would like to be involved, please let me know.

While I would rather continue to blog about exciting things like shows, horse fairs, driving pairs, my 2009 corporate taxes are staring derisively at me. Ouch. Must go. Hope you have a sublime day.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Barnyard Remedies

Throughout the years, I have had the great privilege of coming into contact with old horsemen and their home remedies for various equine maladies. I've put together some of them and will add more to future blogs as I discover where I put all of them.

Abscesses and Open Wounds

The very best and cheapest way to treat an abscess or an open wound is sugar. Sugar is a natural antiseptic, it breaks down the cell walls of bacteria, killing it. Honey and salt work the same way, but honey is expensive and salt can sometimes burn the skin and hair follicles.

For an abscess mix sugar and water, draw into a syringe and squirt it directly into the hole. If you feel the need to 'plug' the hole, use a mix of petroleum jelly and sugar.

For open wounds, my own spin on the subject is: if the wound looks like hamburger, put 'ketsup' on it. This particular recipe doesn't work for burgers, though, it is a mix of sugar and iodine- the consistency of ketsup. Slather liberally on the wound, wrap/dress it and replace the dressing every other day. [Harold Ault uses disposable diapers for dressing, another neat tip.] When the wound heals, there will be no trace of injury.

I have personally avoided many hundreds of dollars in vet bills with sugar and iodine. Sometimes it takes guts to treat a wound yourself, but after the first time, you won't hesitate to reach for the sugar. If, however, you are in any doubt, call your vet. And speaking of the vet, it is always a good idea to ask for an extra tube of Bute and Banamine to have on hand with an understanding of how and when to use them. Then store them next to the sugar and iodine.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Carriage Driving In The Air

Carriage driving is everywhere, despite the horrible winter weather. This past weekend, we celebrated a marriage made in carriage driving heaven. Teresa Burns and Harley Weyer tied the knot right here in Perry, Iowa. Teresa is a veteran of the carriage driving arena in Wisconsin and Harley is a beloved horseman and all round beloved local man. Family and friends of the wonderful couple gathered for the nuptials, great food and even better company.

It was an incomparable event to get together with carriage folk from Iowa and Wisconsin on a very merry occasion. I know I speak for everyone in wishing Teresa and Harley the greatest happiness.

Also this weekend, I was talking to some of the local movers and shakers here in Perry about, you might not guess it, carriage driving. One of them suggested to me that he had always thought it would be fun to do a stage coach drive on the old rail road line [slowly being developed into a trail] from Perry to Coon Rapids. Whoa, Nelly! That was not my idea, it may have came from my endless carriage driving talk, but it came out of his mind! My thoughts immediately went to a Coaching Run, fundraising/promotion for the trail and promoting business in Perry. I'm so pumped about this. Watch this space. And if you have any inspiring ideas: Let! Me! Know!

Snowdrift Indoor Driving Trial is this weekend at 3G Farms, still dependent on this cranky winter weather we're having. Harold Ault and I are developing an exhibition/lecture based on Moseman's Illustrated Guide to Horse Furnishings and Harold's collection of carriage driving accouterments. We are still working on the T Cart wheels, and my new website is whining to be finished. I will be giving a carriage driving presentation and having a booth at the Iowa Horse Fair, April 10 &11th. Oh, and I may have promised John Frieberger that I would bring a horse to the Hickory Knoll Combined Driving Event. May have.

Hmmmm, better stop blogging and get busy!

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

3G Farm Indoor Driving Trial

http://www.threegfarms.com/clinics.html#Snowdrift_Arena_Driving_Trials

Iowa Horse Fair

http://www.iowahorsecouncil.org/Iowa%20Horse%20Fair/ihf-general.htm

Hickory Knoll combined Driving Event

http://www.hickoryknoll.net/HK%20CDE.html

Accidental Sagacity for Today: A Manual of Coaching

I just got off the phone with my friend, Harold Ault. I had called to ask if my understanding of eveners and splinter bars was correct. My interpretation was that eveners are used for draft vehicles and splinter bars are used for carriages. Of course, Harold gave me a long dissertation of how this was almost correct, but there were many instances where it was not. This included, but was not limited to and in other instances varied, whether the vehicle had a fixed or drop pole, platform gear or reach, the weight of the vehicle and the terrain and/or use of the vehicle.

So, now I know more about how much I don't know. But, I picked up some neat information that was accidental sagacity. For instance, I did not know that the leaders in a four in hand pulled from the pole head. I also learned that when you crest the top of a steep hill, you should disengage the leaders from draft or they could snap off the pole. Good to know.

Also good to know is that Harold told me just about everything I needed to know was in Fairman Roger's A Manual of Coaching. I lamented that I didn't have possession of this book, whether reprinted or first edition, as no doubt, Harold has, so I got online and found an internet archive of the book at: http://ia341317.us.archive.org/2/items/manualofcoachi00roge/manualofcoachi00roge.pdf

I also found a review of the book on the New York Times Archive, December 9, 1899 http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9C05E6D91530E132A2575AC0A9649D94689ED7CF

[I heart this archive!] which says, "Small wonder is it then that when the public, to whom coaching is a lost art, and who only know of it through reading, pictures and the occasional sight of some rich man tooling his break or coach, or through the annual coaching parades of London, Paris, Newport, Philadelphia and New York, throng a building to see a coaching exhibition, a man of long purse, who is in addition a lover of horseflesh, can find keen interest in the old sport." And "In reading its pages there will come to them a feeling of older times and older manners, which is so well voiced by Austin Dobson in his lines: With slower pen men used to write, In Anne's or George's day, But now- electric light hath dazed our sight, We may not write-ah, would we might, With slower pen."

Isn't it a wonderful strange world that I should find these connections today? And that I should find a friend with the spirit of Fairman Rogers in Harold Ault? Or that the high speed internet connection allowed me to slow down, and download A Manual of Coaching. What ever needs to be done today can wait until I find the answers that are still relevant, or at times, even more so, one hundred and ten years later.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Which Carriage?

Indian summer, what a gift! The weather has been sublime here in Iowa these last few days. Perfect weather for working horses makes my job envious. Soon we will be relegated to long lining in the indoor arena for months. But for now, we revel in the soft sunshine. Today it is off to Jester Park for a practical application of skills on the trails. Oh, joy.

I have been advising a new driver on the purchase of a show carriage. Two wheeled, four wheeled, modified road cart, wicker phaeton, buy modestly or make an investment, hybrid or antique? So many questions need to be addressed. I was lucky when I was in her position, I had Harold Ault to advise me. I hope I can be as much use for her as Harold has been for me.

The sport of carriage driving is evolving so quickly that making that decision is even more difficult now than it was 10 years ago. Combined Driving Events are eclipsing Pleasure Shows and vehicles have to do double duty. The number of classically styled original vehicles is dwindling and hybrids are prolific. Horses are required to canter in dressage tests and let me tell you that is not comfy in my gig.

It is an exciting time, history is being made in front of our eyes.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

If I had a million dollars

I'd buy a bunch of carriages at Martin's Auction this weekend. My friends Todd Frey and Mike Rider are going, lucky sods. But thankfully Harold Ault is not. You have enough carriages, Harold- and I will remind you of that again on Friday, when I'm on the carriage barn roof fixing it in the rain.

But still it is fun to talk about which ones we'd buy because we are not Todd Frey. Here is what I would buy, based just on the photos: one of the Breaks, the Spider [despite the condition of that top], one of the Kuhnles, and the yellow road cart next to the gigs. "But Michelle! What about the gigs?" I hear you exclaim. I have a gig, I'm not greedy. I do like the look of the first, dark Stanhope in the snow for those who want my opinion. I considered the T Cart, but Harold has one that is prettier and I don't want it if it isn't as pretty as Harold's.

Sleighs, sleighs, sleighs, I just can't get excited about sleighs. Harold's fault again, my first sleigh ride was in a Panel Boot Victoria sleigh put to Don Pecos and Ace, and I can't think anything could top that, so I am done with sleighs, unless I someday move to Wisconsin where I understand they plan to use them this weekend.

Road coaches and park drags- must be a man thing. I like them, but prefer a Break, don't need a coach, I'll leave it to the guys.

Go to: http://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/photopanel.cgi?listingid=539225&feed=1 and tell me which ones you'd buy, if you had a million dollars.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Dancing around a Gig?

So many people come up to me and say, "I just love your carriage, I want one just like it!"

Hold on a minute, folks. Yes, my gig is great. It is not expensive, but it looks good. However, a gig is not for the faint of heart. It sits high, with a very low seat rail. Driving the gig is like riding saddle seat. You better be able to hold on. You better not take a hard turn on a hillside. You better hit a long bump with both wheels at the same time. Ask Harold Ault. His gorgeous Kimball Stanhope Gig ejected him in a water hazard. A gig is a fantastic vehicle and I love mine, but it is not a beginner's vehicle, nor a CDE ride.

Choosing a vehicle is a very important decision for a carriage driver. You can change horses much easier than you can change vehicles. It affects the type of harness you must purchase and the type of driving you do. I have hitched many horses to my gig and it has worked out nicely for me because I had a list of criteria before I decided on a vehicle. I like fancy horses, 14- 15 hands. I like slow, tight and precise. I am not faint of heart. I am a show off. So the gig fit.

I drove other vehicles before purchasing the gig. I hitched Major and Don Pecos to a top buggy and then a road cart. It was all wrong. It was like wearing Chanel to the State Fair: wrong. It was like driving a vintage John Deere tractor to Bike Night: wrong. I hitched Ace to the road cart and I know he resented it. I have seen other horses with the same look on their faces. They seem to be saying: It's Wrong!

So, determine what type of person you are, what type of horses you like and then talk to other people who have horses and vehicles you like. Remember also that the size and weight of the vehicle are of great importance and should be addressed in your wish list. My gig is much, much lighter than Harold's and only one of my driving horses knows how to really pull it.

If you've ever seen a horse that is too big for the vehicle, you'll know how silly it looks to out-horse the vehicle. I once saw a Friesian put to a drop front phaeton. The vehicle was too small and delicate and the horse, who was a great mover, looked clunky. Friesians are big horses with big personalities, they need a big vehicle to show them to their best advantage, not a girlie vehicle.

Mary Jo Stockman comes to mind as a wonderful example. She has two fabulous girlie vehicles: a wicker phaeton and a George IV, which she puts to her very feminine Morgan mare. She has a Friesian, too, that she puts to a dog cart. It wouldn't work the other way around. [I can hear Heart, her Morgan, now: "Don't you dare hitch me to that DOG cart."] Both turnouts are head turners and if Mary Jo could, she would show them in the same class and the judge would tie her with herself for first place.

I have been told that I have it easy with my Morgan horses, they are versatile and can go sporty and formal. Yep, it's true. I am spoiled. I like it that way! But, I am not going to say that you shouldn't hitch sport ponies to a gig, because I've seen it done very well [Ingrid Krause's Haflinger tandem to a lovely cherry wood country gig comes to mind]. I've seen Morgans who did not have the brilliance to horse a Spider phaeton, too. It depends on how you do it, but choose a vehicle that fits you and your horse's style, size and weight. Remember, a Fjord put to a nicely turned out natural wood vehicle is a lovely picture, and I've been beaten in turnout by them.

Plus, they have way more fun in cross country than I do.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Accidental Sagacity for Today: Harold Ault

My friend, Harold Ault of Ames, IA, is a rare find. By all accounts, he is the purest definition of eccentric. At first glance, it is easy to misunderstand him. His appearance is usually slightly disheveled, his gait both swinging and staggering at once, his mode of transportation helped down the road with the aid of log chains and cement blocks. But look for the accidental sagacity and you trip over a substantial treasure.

Harold is a walking, talking, dog eared, highlighted, frequently thumbed through, epic volume of encyclopedias. He is a collector of nearly everything there ever was on this earth, namely carriages, their accouterments and a bevy of anecdotes. For the uninitiated, Harold is the Saturday NY Times crossword puzzle. However, if you express an interest, he will start you out with a Monday puzzle and give you many clues.

I have known Harold for 11 years, a year after learning the importance of traces. And now I can tell you the difference between a road coach and a park drag. He has only had to explain the differences to me a hundred times, but he never tires of trying. Every time, he remembers yet another story to add to the richness of the lesson.

To say that I am familiar with Harold's carriage collection would be stretching it. However, I am aware of the historical significance of many of the items. He has so much stuff, both tangible and intangible, that it is sometimes overwhelming. It is a Show and Tell that has lasted 11 years and counting, of which I am eternally grateful to him.

In order to show my appreciation, I nag him constantly about writing a book and categorising his collection. Now that he is retired, I nag even harder. The purpose for writing this blog is to engage you, dear reader, to join my cause. Whenever you see/meet Harold Ault, let this blog be your first impression of him. Look beyond the cover and encourage, berate, cheer, cajole or threaten him into achieving the potential of his collection and in turn of his life's work. And ask, if you dare, the differences between a park drag and a road coach. Someday, you'll be glad you did.

Harold driving Don Pecos put to

his Kimball Stanhope Gig, at the

Villa Louis Carriage Classic, 2000

Bob and Ace: Villa Louis Carriage Classic

What an excellent weekend we had at Villa Louis. Harold Ault, Ace, Lucy and I arrived on Thursday the 10th to get settled in and meet Heidi Kenney and her dog Barclay. The first wonderful surprise was our stall assignment, which was nestled in between carriage driving pair gods, Aaron Achenbach and Howard Kietzke. It was Aaron who helped me decipher Gambler's Choice strategies 10 years ago, at my first Villa Louis. Howard lent me a back strap and crupper when one of my horses went over backwards at a show and I wanted to re-hitch despite broken harness. Aaron and Howard are the finest of carriage driving competitors: savvy, witty, generous.

Team Serendipity's whip, Bob Nervig, and his lovely wife Kathy arrived on Friday. I put them straight to work. Harold and I had just finished stitching the new patent leather shaft covers on the gig and Bob admired all the new patent, thanks to a very generous donation by Heidi. Bob and I schooled Ace through the water hazard and after cannonballing into the water directly behind me [soaking me] on the first attempt, he showed his typical contrition and strolled through it after without question.

Thankfully, that was the only time I was soaked during the weekend. The weather gods bestowed temperance and the rain gear stayed stowed. Not the case for Barclay, however, who found tributaries of the river at every opportunity, demonstrating the Labrador aspect of his ancestry. [He and Lucy left quite an impression on Prairie du Chien, and were known by name at the hotel and on the grounds.] Early morning fog laced the river bluffs, gently dispersed by fuschia dawns followed by lovely dappled sunshine that made Villa Louis a late summer paradise.

Saturday morning found us in turnout where the judge, Mrs. Eleanor Hunter, awarded Bob and Ace a second place ribbon. Cross country was a blast, Ace went right over the bridge and through the water for Bob. [Non carriage folk will wonder why the bridge didn't go over the water, as do the horses, but they are two separate obstacles.] Crossing the road was confounding, Ace stopped at the sign, and then got road rage and wanted to continue, without waiting for the traffic on the road, hence Bob and I got off count and missed a gate.

Still, it was a fabulous morning of driving and team Serendipity took a well deserved rest in the Patron's Tent to watch the show. I found an Audrey Hepburn hat with my name on it at Colonial Carriage Works that I didn't take off all day. I donned it in Bob's reinsmanship class, where he took a third place ribbon. For his first day of his first pleasure driving show ever, Bob shined as well as the gig and harness.

After a brief break, we were back at the Villa for wine, cheese and excellent company. Then off to prime rib dinner under the marquee and the auction, where Heidi and I showed off the auction items at Mike Rider's request. I must humbly admit that I aided the auctioneer in raising $425 for a three legged stool, something that no one at the auction is ever going to let me forget. Ah, camaraderie...

Sunday bright and early was the scurry- cones. This is Bob and Ace's favorite part of the division. They made a clean, fluid course and won a fourth place ribbon against village, Meadowbrooks and road carts. Well done, boys. Working pleasure won another second place ribbon for Bob and Ace and gambler's choice awarded another fourth place. At the close of the show, Bob tied for reserve champion novice driver horse, in a very competitive division.

For team Serendipity, he and Ace were unbeatable. More important than any ribbon, is the feedback from people who go out of their way to compliment your turnout or the volume of applause from an inspired audience. Bob's story about carriage driving with an auto immune disorder is touching and affected many people.

It is my great honor to have participated in this story. Villa Louis never fails to add value to my life and I thank all the individuals for the wonderful memories I have again this year. Yet another truly brilliant weekend to add to the books.

Centered in Iowa

Accidental Sagacity For Today

Lucy and I had the opportunity to take a sublime stroll down a country road this morning while the gig tugs were repaired by a local harness man near Luther. This time of year everything is so lovely in the early morning light. We walked past a government project of prairie grass reserve that was just breath taking. The plumes were mauve, stems purple and bases golden green; set against a blue sky this was Nature Mama at her finest. The stems were almost above my head and I wondered how this scene would have moved me if I had the opportunity to see it before corn and soybeans were its neighbor.

Still, no offence to those crops, for along the road they were bordered and laced with hay ground, which I always consider to enhance their beauty. The majestic corn was beginning to golden, but the beans on this road were still vibrant verdant. A lazy breeze tickled the silver undersides of the beans and they seemed to spread their good humor to us. I remembered while living in London, Iowa would be the butt of many jokes, but this morning, the beans and I laughed together.

We turned down a steep hill, which had its own sign proclaiming "HILL", which always tickles me, too. Oh, you mean that incredibly steep drop and vertical undulation of the land. Hill. Good to know. This particular Hill was gorgeous. Sumac starting its vermilion phase [see Todd, I can use it too], stoic oaks holding fast to their Brewster green, Black-eyed Susans tumbling down the bank, Cowslip elegantly fanning in the breeze, it struck me how gently wild is my home state. At the bottom of the Hill, was a brook and a startled Blue Heron flew up right in front of us. Lucy the Brave hid behind me until she was sure the giant dinosaur Beagle eating bird was gone, gone, gone.

On the walk home, I thought about the kernels and seeds that we were passing and how they would end up all over the world and the products that they would become would impact everyone on this earth. Iowa gets a bad wrap a lot of the time, but this morning, it was the center of the universe for me. The only thing I may have enjoyed more would have been to add a fancy pair and a roof seat break.

From the Carriage Driving Archives

Harold Ault sent me this photo of Loula Long Combs and I just had to share it, along with a brief Bio of the grand dame of horse shows that speaks to why I think she is so brilliant.

Loula Long Combs' first sentence was, "Please buy me a pony," according to her father, R. A. Long. Breeding and training horses was Loula's life-long passion. She entered her first horse show in 1896 at a fair in Kansas City's Fairmount Park. For almost 65 years, her horses won blue ribbons in shows throughout this country, Canada and England. She won the most ribbons at Kansas City's American Royal where she made a yearly appearance well into her 80s. To audiences' delight, Loula always wore a spectacular hat as she drove her carriage around the show ring.

Accidental Sagacity for Today: Harold Ault

My friend, Harold Ault of Ames, IA, is a rare find. By all accounts, he is the purest definition of eccentric. At first glance, it is easy to misunderstand him. His appearance is usually slightly disheveled, his gait both swinging and staggering at once, his mode of transportation helped down the road with the aid of log chains and cement blocks. But look for the accidental sagacity and you trip over a substantial treasure.

Harold is a walking, talking, dog eared, highlighted, frequently thumbed through, epic volume of encyclopedias. He is a collector of nearly everything there ever was on this earth, namely carriages, their accouterments and a bevy of anecdotes. For the uninitiated, Harold is the Saturday NY Times crossword puzzle. However, if you express an interest, he will start you out with a Monday puzzle and give you many clues.

I have known Harold for 11 years, a year after learning the importance of traces. And now I can tell you the difference between a road coach and a park drag. He has only had to explain the differences to me a hundred times, but he never tires of trying. Every time, he remembers yet another story to add to the richness of the lesson.

To say that I am familiar with Harold's carriage collection would be stretching it. However, I am aware of the historical significance of many of the items. He has so much stuff, both tangible and intangible, that it is sometimes overwhelming. It is a Show and Tell that has lasted 11 years and counting, of which I am eternally grateful to him.

In order to show my appreciation, I nag him constantly about writing a book and categorising his collection. Now that he is retired, I nag even harder. The purpose for writing this blog is to engage you, dear reader, to join my cause. Whenever you see/meet Harold Ault, let this blog be your first impression of him. Look beyond the cover and encourage, berate, cheer, cajole or threaten him into achieving the potential of his collection and in turn of his life's work. And ask, if you dare, the differences between a park drag and a road coach. Someday, you'll be glad you did.

Harold driving Don Pecos put to

his Kimball Stanhope Gig.