[drivingpairs] Re: who's driving
- From: "Kenneth H. Williams" <lonestr7@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: drivingpairs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 08:07:32 -0600
All have to say to this portion of your e-mail is that I know of no one in Texas
that would treat you this way. I personally have a difficult time finding
volunteer help and would treat any "guests" as such. After all, the word
volunteer means a lot in Texas. Normally I have only my wife, my son and my
sister to help at events. Another hand is always welcomed and kindness would be
rewarded.
I looked for photos of the chariot this morning but haven't been able to locate
any.
good luck
Ken
Gail Smith wrote:
> Hi Ken
>
> I know where Texas is...unfortunately never been there but would love to
> visit it oneday. I used to work for a vet from there who qualified at Texas
> A&M. She was great fun and came from a cattle farm where she grew up with
> quarter horses. Some people have all the luck huh! My family were never into
> horses and rather just tolerated my fascination for them.
>
> It is hard i the UK. The horse community is a tightly-knit community and
> quite elite. Unless u are prepared to work like a slave people do not like
> you going near there horses, let alone drive them. If you pay, of course, it
> is a different story. Carriage Driving is probably less notorious for it's
> attitude to those not fortunate enuf to own their own horses but you get the
> odd one or two. Dick Lane drives teams here and is in my opinion a most kind
> and nice man.
>
> I did try making a debut back into horses but unfortunately the people I met
> just confirmed my suspicions that I'd rather own them than work for people
> who do. Altho I am sure there are some nice employors in the industry. I
> just lucked out on finding some. I offered my services free of charge so
> that I could learn about driving. The only condition was that the patrons
> paid my way to the competitions. A lovely couple who drive a bew team of
> Fressian horses replied to the positive. The horses were beautiful and the
> people were nice. Inexperienced team drivers but successful in pairs. The
> invited me to assit them at a competition in Scotland, along with their
> groom.
>
> It started out great but as things progressed things turned from great to a
> nightmare. Firstly, on the basis that I held a degree in Equine science it
> was assumed that I knew nothing at all. With all the knowledge floating in
> my head you can imagine how frustrating that was. I have been working in the
> computer indutry for some years and my practical experience all came back
> save the fact that i was unfit and not used to the physical labour. My first
> mistake, which is an unforgiveable one is that i woke up late the first
> morning we were there. However, I was not officially the groom and I had
> been invited to come and 'see' if things there suited me. Unfortunately the
> groom was also up late and the horses never got fed when designated. I felt
> terrible but at the same time it was the current groom's responsibility in
> any case. I accepted the reprimand with grace and felt one was deserved.
> However, the man in question continued it like I'd committed a crime and
> indsulted for the fact that I smoked and that I was irresponsible and could
> never expected to be emploed with that attitude. If I'd been in his employ I
> wouldhave deserved it but I was a guest and I felt the intensity of his
> words disrepectful. The day went from bad to worse. They were not cometting
> that day but still, the horses had to be driven out. TEam work is different
> and with five horses 1 groom is insufficient and I have only had experience
> with singles and pairs. They knew this but continually patronised me for my
> lack of speed and knowledge about the harness and reins..........as you know
> each team kits up differently and for each combined trial event different
> harness is different. The first thing that caught my guard was when we drove
> aout and the groom backstepping incorrectly told me that one leans against
> bends when turning, like when one turns corners on a motorbike. . I told him
> this was incorrect and he told me to shut up cos i knew nothing about teams.
> Next we drove over a bump and I squealed in delight but not loudly enuf to
> frighten the horses. I was just so happy to be on the vechicle.
>
> The next day i was standing waiting for coffee when the owner approached me
> with what i thought. I said i loved it and was very keen, especially in
> learning about backstepping. He then proceeded to tell me I was to weak to
> do it (as I was a woman) and that i was too fat!! and i was very unfit and
> that i did not have the bottle escpecially if I screamed on the vechicle !!!
> I was horrified. I told him that he had no basis onwhich to judge my courage
> and that my unfiness was probably due to the fact that since college I had
> been working in a office with computers and that fitness is a gradual
> process. They then whent out driving and left me to muck out all five
> stalls, including water, hay feed and dragging all the muck miles aways.
> Then I had to clean the harness and make sure everything was tidy. I did not
> mind that much but again I was a guest and not in their employ yet. So, for
> the rest of the competition that was what happened. I never saw one
> obstacle, walked the course or saw one dressage test. I was left to tidy up
> and make ready for their return. Don't get me wrong, hard work is not what
> scares me.....but i felt used.....that i was left ith all the dirty work and
> got to do none of the fun stuff...or even see an obstacle on the course.
> Then while i was waiting for the team to come in off the marrathon another
> team came in with an injured leader, pouring with blood.. They were in need
> of help so I helped them get the horses unharnessed and as the injured one
> was down I felt obliged to lend a hand. Witha ll the comotion i was left
> holding onto the injured leader while the rest of the team was taken care
> of. Unfortunately during theis my team arrived.. As it is ' team' work the
> team I helped assistaed them in unhitching etc. I was left with teh injured
> horse. The driver explained to my guy what had happened and he said no
> problem i should stay with the horses as his team was dealt with.
>
> That night things turned into a nightmare. During dinner I was just about to
> sit down to eat and was instructed to go muck out the horses....I had to
> leave the dinner table and do this in the middle of my dinner. The groom
> sitting there all smug and 'go slave girl' I know horses must be taken care
> of but he was also the groom. It could have been us both doing it. Then
> pride swallowed a dog from our camp got loose and attacked by a bigger one.
> I ran around the whole show ground searching for a vet, which i got and the
> dog was rushed to surgery. My 'boss's' wife then profusely thanked the other
> groom for finding the vet!!! I was ignored. Then my 'boss' told me he did
> not want me going to the bar without money because it embarrassed him. I had
> told him previously that i had no moeny and was out of work. The deal had
> been that i was their guest. He was embarrassed because if people offeref me
> a drink i had no money to return the favour. I was a bit put out because I
> actually had friends on the grounds and do not drink anyways. Then I was
> asked to take one of the stallions out. I did this and led the stallion out
> with a chain on his nose. As I did not know the horse I did not wanna chance
> it that he got away from me. I was then reprimanded for incompetence and not
> needing the chain or being able to comntrol the horse. I explained my
> reasoining and was just patronised again. I got upset and left. I went to
> see a friend close by. When I returned I learned that the team had
> overturned in the water and the reason was the groom lent the wrong way and
> overballance the carriage. The expert he was talking to comfirmed to me that
> one leans into the bends and that bounding a carriage is more about velocity
> and timing more than strnegth because at 600kg + no-one could lift it. It
> was a small victory for me........confirming that I did actually know
> something and the groom was indeed a twat!
>
> After that i had an arguement with the man and basically told him I was well
> aware of the work required with horses and that i was aware I was unfit and
> belived that i had been invited as a guest to see what it was all about and
> that i had made it very clear i was out of money and out of
> work.................
>
> Unfortunately i need to go for now as I am currently in South Africa and
> about to fly back home to England. Whem I get there I will continue this
> story for you all. Perhaps thus far you have some comments.
>
> Thanks
> Gail
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kenneth H. Williams" <lonestr7@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <drivingpairs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2003 12:30 AM
> Subject: [drivingpairs] Re: who's driving
>
> >
> > That makes it a little difficult doesn't it? If I was in the UK you'd be
> > welcomed any time. Unfortunately I'm in a little country called Texas
> (and I'm
> > not ashamed that President Bush is from Texas).
> > I went driving this a.m. but it wasn't exactly a pleasure drive. I sold
> the
> > team that I've been using on the wheel for the last five years, Pat and
> Rex.
> > They are going to a novice driver that is starting a carriage company. We
> went
> > on an hours drive and they got along great. Fortunately the guy trains
> riding
> > horses so he does understand a little.
> > This team has always been a good team for giving rides. Over the years
> they've
> > hauled thousands of people. I tried to talk the guy into hiring me to
> work for
> > him the first week to teach him the ropes but he didn't take me up on it.
> > I love to drive. The weather here is in the 80's (F). We were supposed
> to get
> > rain last week but we didn't.
> > Go to http://www.lonestarhitch.com and you can drive them virtually.
> > Good luck.
> > Ken
> >
> > Gail Smith wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks Ken
> > >
> > > I would love to learn to drive a team and my boyfriend would probably
> > > backstep or navigate.....but alas, no horses
> > >
> > > I would come help ya but i am in the UK :o(
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Rhapsody R Rhodes" <AppyHollow@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > To: <drivingpairs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 1:56 AM
> > > Subject: [drivingpairs] Re: who's driving
> > >
> > > > Content-Type: text/plain; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-94021E4;
> charset=us-ascii;
> > > format=flowed
> > > > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
> > > >
> > > > At 05:44 PM 03/14/2003 -0600, you wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >She can come to my house and drive anytime she wants.
> > > > >Ken
> > > >
> > > > I wish someone would come up to my house & drive with me. I have 4
> that
> > > > drive & 1 that is almost ready to get behind. And only me that
> > > > drives. I'm going to get started with my team next week. Woo
> > > > Hoo! Supposed to be up to 72 on Tuesday!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Rhapsody Rhodes <AppyHollow@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > > Appy Hollow Farm: http://www.AppyHollowFarm.com
> > > > CyberPet Page: http://appy_hollow_farm.tripod.com/mycyberpets/
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -- Attached file included as plaintext by Ecartis --
> > > >
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