Carriage Driving at Touchstone Farm

Carriage Driving at Touchstone Farm

We have just finished our first in a series of driving clinics. One of the new programs to emerge out of our Strategic and Marketing Planning weekends was to start a driving program. Our board, staff and customers have set their sights on building a driving learning center here at Touchstone. After much research, we feel that experienced drivers have many wonderful pleasure driving and competition options here in New England. However, we discovered that the driving community needs a venue for new drivers who wish to learn either with their own horse or with one of the TSF’s horses.

This past weekend was the start of announcing our intent to become a Carriage Driving Learning Center for drivers, young and old, beginners or experienced! We kicked off our new program with none other than John Greenall. We could not have had a better person to help encourage brand new, eager drivers, or to meet the needs of those who are gearing up for competition. With his sterling reputation, his gentle and respectful ways, and his great sense of humor, a blast was had by all from Thursday morning to late Saturday afternoon.  What a glorious treat it was to have him as our guest, and to be joined by so many other fellow horse & driving enthusiasts.  Everyone loved every minute of it, but none more than I!

Watch our website and calendar for more such Carriage Driving Opportunities.  Our next clinician is Marc Johnson. Again, he is superb in his field, bringing a wealth of experience to us. Again, we can offer new drivers the option of driving one of our turnouts with an experienced whip to ride along with you for your session. We also offer stabling and lodging for those who are bringing their own horses.  Please refer to the flyer on our driving section of the website.

We are also eager to let everyone know that Touchstone Farm will be offering two opportunities to receive a carriage driving certification.  First, we are honored to be hosting the PATH, International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship…formerly NARHA) Therapeutic Driving Instructor Certification in September. Secondly, we will be hosting the new CAA (Carriage Association of America) Driver Proficiency Testing with Jerry Trapanio in October.  Both certifications have a workshop/clinic to help drivers prepare to succeed.  The clinic for the CAA Driver Proficiency Testing will be offered here at the in September with Muffy Seaton as the clinician.  We are thrilled to be eligible to offer these important events as we work toward establishing high standards for safety and competent driving at TSF.

Sincerely,

Boo Martin