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

We are working on building a page for derbies. This page will have links and information about driving derbies. Stay tuned for that!!

JUNE 23 will be our first DRIVING DERBY!! It will be held at Tailwind Farm (Janette Giles) Winterport, ME. The day will start with a clinic with instructor, Sandy Welsh. Entries for the clinic are limited to five so please contact Janette Giles at janette.giles@nsgiles.com for more information.
Sandy began riding at 6 years old. She rode hunt seat for many years in NJ. When she moved to Maine in 1976, she became interested in Combined Training and earned year-end championships on her young Arabian. They did everything together including dressage, jumpers, polo cross, western and driving. Sandy started many horses and minis driving in both pleasure and combined driving. Her training in classical dressage is translated to her driving exercises where students are able understand a test and the dynamics of accuracy as well as rhythm. The dressage training also made cones and hazards less stressful. She became interested in Western Dressage and, with her QH mare, earned a Championship in Level 2 and Level 3 in both Maine and Florida. Throughout these years, she continued her involvement in Combined Driving and has several students competing with horses and mini horses. She does not compete herself anymore but her students are usually in the top standings of their classes and most are the winners of their division. For many years Sandy managed a show barn in Maine and offered clinics from top riders in the world. Philip Dutton, Jane Savoie, Gunnar Ostergaard are some of the trainers that Sandy has had the pleasure of working with and training. She continues to hold clinics in riding and driving and her students have gone on to win in driven and ridden dressage and derbies as well as obstacles in Ocala and Maine. Please Print this Form for the derby entry.

LARRY POULIN will be coming to Maine for a clinic.
Poulin was the highest-placed American driver as a member of the USET pairs squad at the World Championships in 1985, 1987 and 1989. He also competed as an individual in 1993 at the World Pairs Driving Championships in Gladstone, NJ. In 1995, Poulin was selected to anchor the USET World Championship team in Poland, which finished eighth. In 2001, Poulin again competed for the U.S. in the Pairs Driving World Championship, where he drove to a team seventh, place finish. He represented the U.S. at the World Championships in France in 2003, and again in Poland in 2005. 2009 was Larry’s 10th and final World Championship, as he retired from active driving that year.
Poulin made his initial mark in the driving world with a pair of legendary chestnut Morgans. When they were retired, Poulin withdrew from serious driving competition for a time, focusing instead on clinics and coaching, until Joseph Hay’s Cleveland bay/Thoroughbred mares were made available to him. He currently drives a group of mixed Warmbloods owned by long-time friend and sponsor, Natasha Grigg.
-July 21 hosted at Sable oak Equestrian Center in Brunswick.
-private $120
-semi private $60 each
Contact Hana Poulin 207-200-0308
See Hana Poulin Dressage & Driving LLC events on Facebook for more info.

July 22: ride or drive
-private $100
-semi private $50 each
-contact Paula Leavitt at dleavitt@uninets.net

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