Maine Driving Club

A Glimpse into the Maine Driving Club

The mission of the Maine Driving Club is to encourage and promote the sport of equine driving. We offer training, education, and information to our members in the various phases of pleasure and competitive driving, as well as pleasure horse ownership. We provide a forum for people interested in the sport of driving in the State of Maine to come together for social activities and to share ideas and information.

The MDC welcomes all who have an interest in carriages or driving, regardless of age, skill level or the type of driving you do. Beginner drivers and those who would just like to "ride along" are also encouraged to join us!

Latest News

SEPTEMBER 15 will be our third and final DRIVING DERBY of this season!! It is being held at the beautiful Spurwink Farm in Cape Elizabeth ME.
Please print entry forms HERE .

The second, in a series of three derbies, was held Saturday, August 4, at Seacoast Farm in Wales, Maine.
Dry as our summer has been, who would have thought it would rain on our day. Nine turnouts arrived believing that only showers would slow them down. Not to be. When it wasn’t raining hard it was raining gently. Wet to their waists all were in great spirits, chattering as they walked the course and waited their turn in the rain.
The course was both interesting and challenging. Seacoast sports a permanent obstacle made of telephone poles that was way too much fun. The cones course included a circle, a new twist, and easier said than done. This one designed by course designer Barbara Chadwick to slow us down! Well, and of course to show off our driving skills as we finessed each gate. We even had a special guest appearance by Wonder Woman and her amazing equine partner . . . Twinkle! One never knows who you will see at a MDC Derby!
In Training Division:
Small Pony- Anna Bigelow with Thordale Zoot 1st
Pony- Nancy Wine DeWans with Brenna from Ice Follies 1st
Horse- Linda Archer with Impressive Morning Star 1st
Paula Leavitt with Kay’s Autumn Abby 2nd
VSE Pairs- Kassi Farrar with Bentley and Jasper 1st
Preliminary Division: VSE Single- Judy Chamberlain with Twinkle 1st
Horse: Hana Poulin with Ashland Seren 1st
Pony- Sondra Day with Pryzm 2nd
Open Division: Bob Giles with Rose 1st
A huge thank you to Jenny and KC Wells for opening their home to us and
for all the hard work and use of equipment that goes into hosting this type of event. Thank you to all the volunteers who arrived the day of, to lend a hand in the rain; and the volunteers who helped set up the day before; the competitors who threw caution to the wind and braved the elements; to Mary Plummer and Barbara Chadwick for being Judge extraordinaire and derby organizer. A shout out to Katie Adams-Gary for her talent as mimosa master!

Our first driving derby was held June 23 at Tailwind Farm in Winterport.
The course was set over rolling greens and an apple orchard and included cones, a culvert "causeway", an obstacle consisting of apple trees, and a hazard in the field. It was a small turnout of 8 drives and everyone enjoyed themselves with the different terrain and obstacles, which gave spectators something to watch!
Thank yous go out to Janette Giles for hosting and designing the fun course. Thank you to Mary Plummer for judging, Barbara Chadwick for organizing and the many volunteers who helped make everything run smoothly.
The placings are as follows:
VSE Training Pairs - 1st: Kassi Farrar/Bentley and Jasper
Sm Pony Training - 1st: Anna Bigelow/Thordale Zoot
Pony Training - 1st: Judy Stevens/Annie
Horse Training -
1st: Hana Poulin/Cruiser
2nd: Barbara Pretorius/Surprise Ending (Prize)
E: Linda Archer/Impressive Morning Start
Prelim Pony - 1st: Hana Poulin/Ashland Seren
Int Horse - 1st: Bob Giles/Rose.
Pictures by Bailey Sutherland Photography

Contact Us

MDC OFFICERS
President: Janette Giles
Vice-President: Hana Poulin
Secretary/Treasurer: Paula Leavitt
Publicity: Janette Giles
Website: Janette Giles

Join the Club.

Membership in the Maine Driving Club is open to anyone with an interest in carriage driving. We welcome beginners to advanced drivers as well as those who simply might like to come along for a ride.

Select a membership option below to register online, or print this form and send a check by mail to: Paula Leavitt, Treasurer, MDC, P.O. Box 36, Dixmont, ME 04932