Western Whips and Wheels

Western Whips and Wheels is a not for profit driving club sanctioned  by The American Driving Society. It was formed to create a network of carriage drivers in our region, to act as a resource for one another and to support driving events in the Pacific Northwest. Through dues and fund raising efforts, WWW provides financial support for regional competitions (Combined Driving Events and Arena Driving Trials), play day drives, a facebook page and educational opportunities. Additionally, members provide volunteer labor that makes things happen. We welcome members of all experience and abilities.

OBJECTIVES

Western Whips and Wheels’ by-laws state that the organization’s objectives are:

• To advocate for the sport of driving equines to carriages in competition, for pleasure and recreation
• To promote safety in the sport
• To create and maintain public interest in local, national and international driving events
• To educate and inform the public with respect to driving methods, safety and events
• To sponsor educational driving clinics and other organized driving events
• To recommend and promote the use of the American Driving Society rules at any organized show which members may attend

ARENA DRIVING TRIAL SERIES

Organizing the Arena Driving Trial Series is one of WWW’s primary jobs. An Arena Driving Trial is a casual competition held in one day and includes a dressage test, a cones course and an obstacle course. Drivers do not have to dress in traditional attire at these events and horses and carriages do not have to be spit polish clean. Trials are held during the winter months, February through April, when most of us have cabin fever and enjoy getting our equines out for some fun. It is a great way for new drivers to practice the basic skills required for a Combined Driving Event. More seasoned competitors enjoy honing their skills and exposing their horses to different situations.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Educational opportunities are offered to WWW members throughout the year. In the past few years, the club has held a clinic on braiding, organized a tour of the Curtis Carriage Museum, presentation by Nate Smith equine nutrition expert to discuss nutrition for performance horses, offered driving clinics with some of the country’s leading drivers, and organized numerous play day drives. The club sponsored Thomas Smith for a two day navigator clinics and Bill Twigg for a Carriage Maintenance Seminar, desensitizing clinics with John and Linda Keater and numerous veterinarians on topics ranging from lameness to conditioning.

REGIONAL SUPPORT

WWW provides support to the region’s Combined Driving Event Organizations. The club provided financial contributions to the Equestrian Institiute’s CDE in Ethel WA, ; The CDE at Inavale in Philomath, OR; Drive in the Park in Nampa Idaho, WA; and the National ADS Membership Meeting in 2011.