Welcome to our website! We will continue to update this Blog through our competition schedule. We will share our trials and tribulations. This will be our forum to share our Journey. So please join Team Wind Chase while we explore the World of Pony Four-in-Hand Driving in the USA.
Sunshine State 2012 - Reaching a milestone
Team Wind Chase was the first to drive the new FEI Pony Team Test 8C in Competition in the USA.
We arrived early on Tuesday morning to start our weeks work at the Florida Horsepark with our coach, Peter Tischer. It was super to have such a talented team driver school my ponies and offer encouragement- we could do it!
On Thursday Peter warmed the ponies up before dressage, they felt super! As we entered the ring, the ponies came to life! I think they knew this was another big milestone for team Wind Chase. A few glitches during the test, but overall a good experience on our first outing in the Advanced Division. That evening we walked and walked Hazards, carefully planning our routes, considering options and where the biggest challenges would lie.
We were invited by Michael Freund to take part in the cones clinic on Friday. Michael always sets up a demanding training course. At first we really struggled with several of the elements, but overall we finished with a better understanding of what we need to work on. A deep breath, and a smile, good ponies :)
Saturday morning arrived with beautiful sunshine. After our breakfast of champions, Team Wind Chase headed out in the early afternoon. Section A was quite bumpy but the ponies managed to stay quiet and soft in my hands. With a bit of encoragement, the walk section was made in Advanced time with no penalties. Ponies went on and cleared the vet checks with ease. Our training had paid off. All of the ponies were in good shape. Section E and its 6 Hazards drove well, except Hazard one, we struggled with a zig zag turn and the wheelers got stuck on a post. We quickly got ourselves dislodged and on again. The water complex was wide open, and ponies proved pulling the extra weight of a FEI marathon carriage was no problem! Top stepper, Evi did a fantastic job on the top step, keeping us looking ahead.
A foggy Sunday morning start, but the cones course revealed itself as the sun came up. We had not driven a full Advanced cones course in competition, the time is faster and the cones set even narrower. It started with a zig-zag, then we needed to remember and negotiate 19 additional sets of cones and keep speed! Peter had worked with us in the warm-up reassuring us of the pace. My heart was pounding as we entered the ring. Drivind calmly through the first combination and forward on ...somewhere around cone 17, I realized we were going to make the time and now it was time to go for it! Smiling ear to ear, we raced across the finish, in time, with just one ball down.
We had succesfully completed our first Advanced Event! Whooo Hoo! So Proud of the Ponies! Thanks to Peter, Evi, Pat, Herb, Lisa and Randy. Thanks to all of our Sponsors who keep Team Wind Chase looking and feeling their best!
With plenty of Homework to do we look forward to Live Oak International!
Tribute - Equine Nutrition Sponsors Team Wind Chase!
Team Wind Chase is proud to announce that Tribute Equine Nutrition has joined our village of supporters. As Ohio natives, we are fiercely loyal to our Buckeyes, and Tribute/Kalmbach Feed, located in Sandusky Ohio, has been our choice for equine nutrition for many years.
Tribute Equine Nutrition/Kalmbach Feeds offer our Pony Team the highest level of nutrition which ensures they look and perform their best. We also know that Dr. Dan Burke, Ph.D. is available to answer our questions or concerns and that's the makings of one very successful team!
Thank you Tribute Equine Nutrition for providing our team of ponies with solid Essential K nutrition and Kalm performances.
Holiday Horsefest - Meyer Amphitheater Palm Beach
Ponies arrived to the posh city of Palm Beach braided in holiday red and Glitter......lots of Glitter. We unloaded on Flagler Blvd and had just a few moments to walk the course and enter into the Amphitheater. There was a energetic holiday crowd. The holiday music so loud I am not sure the ponies could hear me! We had a very good go, with only one cone fatality :).
It was a super Charity Event, Bettina Scherer was our fantastic organizer! What a perfect opportunity to showcase carriage driving!
* Photo courtesy of Pegasus Photography
Peter Tischer at Wind Chase Farm
The week after Thanksgiving Wind Chase Farm hosted Peter Tischer for one full week of lessons. We had a very good group of Drivers from Sarasota, Ocala, Mississippi, Aiken and Kentucky. Very exciting! It was a incredible week of learning! The Ponies were super and we all learned so much. We all agreed to have Peter back to Coach at the upcoming 2012 Sunshine State CDE.
Peter Driving Team Ponies:
David had the opportunity to work with Peter and start Jazz in the Pair. Jazz was super and went on to compete the next weekend at Port Mayaca Polo HDT!
Lots of Pictures are posted on our facebook page.
FTI/ESP Press Conference for Holiday Horsefest.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Bettina Scherer
Date: November 14, 2011 6:16:21 PM EST
Subject: FW: Press Conference Pictures
On Friday 11/11/11, Mark Belisimo the CEO of Equestrian Sports Productions, his wife Catherine, the head of FTI, sponsor of the Holiday Horse Fest, and the Mayor of West Palm Beach had a press conference down at the Meyer Amphitheater the site of event. Carriage driving was officially announced and will be an integral part of this charity fundraiser. Thank you to Heather and David Schneider for bringing the turnout at the request of the Belisimo’s. The ponies were perfect!!!
Photo courtesy of Jack Mancini
Official FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Event and Yearbook Photographer
Official Publisher of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Yearbook www.equestriansport.com
Facebook: ManciniPhotos
561.906.8805
The Kentucky Classic 2011
After our 20 hours on the road we arrived to Kentucky on October 4. Team Wind Chase a little weary but filled with anticipation. After a visit with Mom and Dad, a bit of unpacking, settling in the ponies and a good nights sleep, we were ready to take a drive. The Kentucky Horse Park is well known for its Rolex Course, and less known for the undeniable grand driving Hazzards. The Ponies felt good, the fall weather crisp and dry. The sun shining on our back - wow!
Dressage and Cones were scheduled on Friday. Braided and turned out in formal attire we had a very steady dressage test, and were one of the few to make time on the cones, with just 6 penalty points for my drivers errors. Ponies were super, I am finding it so much easier to rate their speed.
Marathon day started with a beautiful sunrise. We woke early and walked Hazards till the first competitor started section E. I was standing in first place by almost 20 points under our friend Sterling and his team of hackney Ponies and I wanted to remain there! My strategy was simple, stay focused, keep the ponies soft and steerable, add speed wherever possible. Our Teammate Evi would have her first shot at top stepping at an International caliber event. As backstepper, David would keep our shiny side up!
Our hardwork payed off. We had no penalties in Section A or D and kept moving along on Section E. The Hazards drove much nicer then I anticipated. It seems the bigger Hazards are easier to drive forward. I have conquered many of my hill fears too. Galloping up and down without to much worry :) Team Wind Chase pulled out the stops and had a good go!
The Kentucky Classic Awards lucheon was later in the afternoon. It was especially enjoyable since I could share my success with my Parents. We won the Intermediate Pony Team Division and also received our Year End Award from the ADS as National Intermediate Pony Team Champion. We received ribbons and 4 leather halters with award plates. I am so proud of the Ponies and thankful for wonderful Team-mates, family, friends, sponsors, and supporters. That evening we savoured the victory then started some packing to head South. I think the Kentucky winds may be turning from the North soon.
The Kentucky Classic is definitely one of the top shows of the year, terrific organizers, volunteers and sponsors. We will be back next year for the Pony National Championships! We can't wait!
See our video album from KY!
Martin Downs Equestrian Center Demo
We were invited to Martin Downs Equestrian Center for a driving demo on Friday September 30, 2011. David and I were challenged to design a demonstration in a small 20 x 60 metre ridden dressage ring. We kept with the plan to drive the pony 4 and found music for the crowd to cheer us on! The video will be posted soon! We had a blast. Thanks Lori for the Photo!
On Sunday, we shared our passion for driving and introduced our Try Driving USA program. Many riders had the opportunity to drive our well schooled pony and get a taste of our sport. We had a marvelous turnout! Hopefully we have inspired a few new drivers too!
Summertime Sizzles
During the Months of August and early September we gave the ponies a short break from the humidity and high heat. Then back to work in preparation for the upcoming Fall show season. We have managed to keep our training periods brief due to the heat, but to the point, concentrating on one part of the puzzle at a time. I also drive alot of singles during the summer. Ofcourse everyone of the ponies loves the Friday neighborhood trail drive.
ADS Junior Clinic
In July 2011 Team Wind Chase headed north to Big Sky Farm in Southern Pines, North Carolina for the annual Junior Clinic sponosored by Big Sky Farm and The American Driving Society. The featured clinician was Peter Tischer from Germany. We have worked with Peter before and he was happy to see that the ponies continue to improve! It was a super week, we had a ball teaching the Juniors to drive, and the hospitality was unsurpassed as usual! We finished the week off on my Birthday with a champagne drive throught the lovely hills of Southern Pines.
First Post
Today is the day we go live! We will continue to add photo albums, movies, and results. Moreover, we hope you will feel free to contact us with your questions or comments.
~Heather and David
