"Driving organizations are not any different than riding organizations because they tend to focus on developing the youth in the attempt to increase participation in the discipline," says driving trainer Hardy Zantke.
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Hardy Zantke at one of several driving clinics during the weekend.
Photo: Christine Sweet
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"It is the middle-aged people we should be focusing on. They want to continue working with their horses but no longer want to or can ride," Zantke told the audience at his Friday evening clinic at Mane Event. "These people have the knowledge, interest and means to participate in the driving world."
Zantke added that driving requires even more of an investment than riding. "You not only need the harness and cart, you also need the truck and trailer to haul your horses and cart and that gets expensive."
Zantke also talked about the different options for competition with driving. The type of competing you want to participate in will determine the type of horse and equipment you are looking for.
"Regardless of the competition you need to focus on safety, and choose the right horse for the job," he said.
For pleasure driving you want a horse with a calm and steady temperament. For combined driving you might look into horses with a good temperament but they need that speed and competitive spirit too.
The Mane Event provided an entire weekend of sessions with Hardy Zantke. Over the weekend spectators had the opportunity to learn the basics of driving from this international champion competitive driver, trainer and judge.