Our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. May all the joys of the season be yours enjoyed by the warmth of family and friends. Wishing you heath, happiness, peace and prosperity in the New Year! Scott & Heather Colby

The day was absolutely glorious with a gentle breeze, crystal clear blue sky and a comfortable temperature. Pam Biggi gave us instructions, handed out provisional member applications and wished us a pleasurable drive. Marc Johnson was helpful in adjusting a mini harness. There were no maps available so we were instructed to start our individual drive at our leisure and return to the same location for our picnic. I was sad for those unfamiliar to the area for not having a map or a driver familiar with the area to take them over the gorgeous territory and explain the history. Perhaps another time. We had 6 drivers. Jackie Kane and a friend brought a Haflinger, Nancy Slombo and her Arabian, Breezy, Nancy LeBaron-Kiley and her black and white pinto mini, Maggie, Robyn Royer and her brown and white mini, Eagan, Paulette and Erica Straub and their appy mini, Scott and I with our Percheron Molly Mules, Rosie & Daisy. Our passengers were Val Giacalione dressed in her lovely purple colored hat and outfit, Fred Sullivan, Don Curale and Arthur Finklestein.

It was our pleasure to have guests on our carriage. We were honored and elated to have Don and Arthur ride on our carriage. Don and Arthur have graciously opened their spectacular estate over the past 26 year to ECTA riders and drivers, the Myopia Hunt Club and the Myopia Driving club. Scott and I were thrilled to be able to give back and give them a glorious drive over parts of the vast 6,000 acres that are available to equestrians.

We started at the polo field and drove onto Waldingfield Road and onto the beautiful white pea stone driveway of Don and Arthur’s towards their lovely home where we picked them up. Then down their back driveway under the lovely canopy of Italian trees and back onto Waldingfield Road to cross onto Appleton Farm. Down the fairly new alley parallel to Waldingfield Road where we enjoyed seeing the old and beautiful Beech trees, around the bend to view the lovely pond and up the beautiful tree lined lane planted by one of the Appleton’s, past the in and out jump the hunt uses and up the road taking in the beautiful views of Great Pasture that has been enjoyed by many since 1634. Off we went across the field to Nancy’s Corner where we crossed into Groton House where we drove down their beautiful driveway lined with old oak trees where we took in lovely views of fabulous horse flesh on each side as they were enjoying the grass, back around and over the driveway again and around the lovely event fields where enticing jumps are plentiful, down to the river past Ann Getchel’s lovely estate where we saw the most beautiful Red Tail Hawk fly up into a big old tree, he watched us drive by with a watchful eye. Into the woods we went enjoying the views of the river. We took a turn and were abruptly stopped by a down tree. The gentleman were gracious enough to get off our carriage and assess the situation. Moving the tree was not in the cards so Scott figured a way around it and a trail blazing we went! We had to drive off to the side where it was a little steep, Scott did an exemplary job precisely steering our mules slowly and carefully around trees and through brush, narrowly missing trees. As we came out unscathed, Arthur and the others gave Scott a huge cheer and round of applause! They got back into the carriage and off we went towards the Masse estate, over the wooden bridge and back along the peaceful river once again. We got to the top of a steep hill that looked as though it had not been ridden or driven in a very long time. Once again the wagon was emptied and all went down to assess the territory to see if Scott would be able to drive his mules down the steep slope and to be sure it was not too wet. With the answer being we are sure you are capable of getting us safely down the embankment, off we went again. The brakes held nicely and Rosie and Daisy were again anxious to listen to Scott’s commands as they gently and carefully walked slowly down the hill and around some close quartered trees. Up the hill over across Highland and back onto Waldingfield Road and onto Amanda Smith’s estate we went. Here lovely mares and colorful foals were nice eye candy for us to enjoy as well as the split rail fencing and other horses pastured there. Back down Don and Arthur’s lovely Italian tree canopy drive and our ride halted to an end. Safely back to their lovely home, Don and Arthur invited us in for tea and a lovely lunch on their terraced side yard but Scott and I had to decline because of being on a time schedule and off to a wedding with our draft horses at Maudslay. We would really enjoy that another time.

We drove our remaining two guests down the white pea stone driveway and back down the hill towards the polo field. We had a few minutes to stand and have a little lunch and enjoy some of the wonderful dessert people provided. Everyone enjoyed their drive and the day immensely. We thank Don and Arthur for making this outstanding venue available to us and for Myopia Driving Club for hosting it and organizing all the details. Anyone wishing to join MDC needs to fill out a provisional membership application and be sponsored. Please enjoy the photos I took throughout our glorious drive. It will certainly be a day that will always be remembered and cherished.

Mary Gray held a pleasure show clinic on Sunday, September 12th from 1-3. The weather was beautiful. Mary covered the classes on her prize list for her pleasure show on September 26th. The pleasure driving class, reinsmanship, cones, gamblers choice, and a timed obsticle class was covered. She is also having a couple of misc. classes such as the ride and drive and the carrige dog class. Mary covered appropriate attire, turnout, types of vehicles and appropriate attire and harness, what is to be expected in each class and the different gaits the equines will have to perform during the pleasure driving class and the reinsmanship class. The attendees really enjoyed the two horses that demonstrated the necessary gaits. One driver was nicely turned out and another casually turned out to show a definate difference. All of us learned a great deal and we are excited about finding our turnouts as well as practicing with our equine partners. We are looking forward to our driving lessons with Mary in order to be ready for the show. If you would like to enter the pleasure driving show, please contact Mary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Mary is an excellent instructor who focuses on you during your whole lesson. No interuptions, no cell phone calls, always on time, never tardy, no dogs running around causing distractions. She is very positive and upbeat and creates a pleasant and positive learning environment. Why settle for anything less? You are paying with your hard earned money and you are entitled to her undivided attention! I hope you will enter the pleasure driving show. The price is reasonable and you will have a fun filled day. Fun is what it is all about. Enjoy!

Thank you to all of you who donated money to our fund raiser to help Joe McCadden bury his best horse friend Sleeper and pay his vet bill. Your generosity overwhelmed Joe. He is very grateful to all of you. I have included a photo of the beautiful rose marble stone that we were able to provide Joe through a generous doner. We set the stone for Joe and now he has a place to go every day to remember Sleeper. Scott and I sincerely appreciate the generous horse people in our community. Together we are able to accomplish amazing things! Thank you everyone!