Delmarva Driving Club

Meet the Judges for the 20th Annual DDC Pleasure Driving Show to be held on May 9th at the Wicomico Equestrian Center in Salisbury, MD! For the third time, there will be two Judges - Yvette Harris and Colleen Mcguigan. These Judges have vast experience in the driving world and their willingness to share their knowledge will be a wonderful benefit to our Show.
Yvette Harris began her carriage driving journey in 1994, which eventually led her into the world of pleasure horse shows. In 2014, she was honored to win the Mid-Atlantic Whip Challenge. While
continuing to enjoy pleasure shows and recreational driving, Yvette expanded into Combined Driving Events, competing with singles and pony pairs. Her accomplishments include being named
the 2021 American Driving Society Intermediate Small Pony Pair Champion, the 2021 USEF Intermediate Pony Pair Champion, and the 2023 USEF/FEI 3* National Advanced Pony Pair Reserve Champion. She is currently an ADS Combined Driving Judge as well as a USEF Combined Driving Judge and Steward. She lives on her farm in Woodbine, Maryland with her husband, Welsh ponies,
chickens, and her much-loved grandchildren
Colleen Mcguigan lives in Woodbine, New Jersey on my small farm with 10 horses, ponies and minis. She grew up in Pennsylvania where she learned a lot about carriage horses and their training from her best friend who was Amish. She then trained driving horses for Vivian DuPont of Delaware and started judging Open Horse Shows and Driving Events 25 years ago. She gained her experience by shadowing many driving judges in many states, including Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina. Colleen currently judges Open Shows, Dressage, both ridden and driven, 4-H Shows and many other types of driving events. As Driving Derbies are becoming more popular, she has gotten a bit busy. Colleen is currently teaching English, Western, Dressage and Driving.
Information regarding the DDC Pleasure Show is available on the Delmarva Driving Club website or contact Show Manager John Layton at 609-556-9749.

Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training – So often we say, “It won’t happen to us.” And we hope it never does. But if it does happen to you or someone else — will you know how to help?
These trainings build the skills, confidence, and teamwork needed to respond when horses and livestock need us most.
Join us at the Chincoteague Pony Centre in Chincoteague, VA on February 21, 2026 for our upcoming Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training led by the Fair Hill Emergency Response Team.
This training is part of a much larger, coordinated effort across our region:
Virginia emergency response agencies actively train in large animal rescue and technical rescue operations.
Maryland is a national leader in Large Animal Emergency Rescue (LAER), with specialized teams supported by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Maryland Horse Council, and statewide mutual-aid systems.
These teams work together across state lines during barn fires, trailer accidents, hurricanes, flooding, and equine entrapments.
Through mutual aid agreements and FEMA-recognized rescue standards, trained responders from both states collaborate to protect:
• Horses and livestock
• First responders
• Veterinarians
• The public during emergency situations
This clinic provides hands-on instruction using real rescue equipment and techniques currently used by emergency services throughout Virginia and Maryland. This class is open to emergency response teams, individuals, farms, riding facilities, and equine owners
Recognition by many fire departments, emergency management agencies, and veterinary organizations for continuing education or in-service training.
Date: Feb 21, 2026
Place: Chincoteague Pony Centre
Times: 9am–12pm or 1pm–4pm
Registration limited – early sign-up encouraged
If you cannot make this session, additional introductory courses and training dates will be announced in the coming months.
Stay tuned for details.

The Tenth Biennial Carriage Association of America International Carriage Symposium was held in Washington, DC on January 29th through February 1st. Several DDC Members were able to enjoy the unique presentations from around the world. Some of the topics presented were: about the history of Royal military horses by Lt. Col. Ian Vere Nicoll, MBE (former commander of the The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery), beautiful and fascinating sleighs with collector Dan Bussey, and Dr. Michaela Giebelhausen shared information about 18th century painter George Stubbs and his unique talent for capturing the horse and carriages in oil and pigment. Carriage conservator Brian Howard stressed the importance of conservation, and the permanent harm that can be done to priceless and ancient vehicles by well-meaning yet unthoughtful restorers, especially those who do not document their projects before destroying original finishes and striping. Bob Tagatz, resident historian of Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel, entertained us with the history of the Island, the hotel, and how the Island has thrived while being stuck firmly in the 19th century. Photographers and equestrians Arthur and Joyce Van der Vlies shared behind the scenes photos at the Royal Stables of the House of Orange-Nassau (by kind permission of the Crown Equerry to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands). Rita Dargent, Director of The Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum), discussed the collection of ancient and important carriages and appointments in the new state-of-the-art museum
Author Elizabeth Letts joined via zoom to introduce everyone to the incredible story of the daring US mission to rescue the Lipizzaner horses at the close of the second world war. Her newest book, 'The Perfect Horse', details the story. Dan Bussey brought unique and interesting pieces from his personal collection of sleigh appointments and accessories. Bells, mitts, robes, foot warmers, plumes, and other rare and exotic items from Dan's collection were on hand for Symposium attendees to ring, feel, and enjoy.
On Sunday CAA Members Jack and Marge Day opened their home and carriage museum for tours. Richard Nicoll was on hand to discuss some of Jack and Marge’s unique and interesting whips, and David Remley serenaded everyone with the sounds of the road with antique horns from the collection.
DDC Members Mary Dougherty and Ken Lehberger enjoyed dinner at Clyde's at Willowcreek Farm in Ashburn, VA. This unique restaurant is full of carriages, several even hanging from the ceiling.
Everyone is already looking forward to 2027! (Information and photos courtesy of the Carriage Association of America)