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Colonial Carriage & Driving Society
Winter Classic Sleigh Rally 2009
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| "Snow is falling and people are calling "yoo-hoo" as goes the well known winter song, "Sleighride", made famous by Johnny Mathis, and also Arthur Fiedlar and the Boston Pops. The first sleigh rally in three years finally took place on Sunday, January 18 at Orleton Farm in Stockbridge.
I awoke to quite a snowy morning. Later as my photographer friend Chet, remarked, "Now we will get to see what these Yankees are really made of". As it turned out, eighteen hardy entries braved the snowy drive to bring horses, minis and a miniature donkey (Vito) for a day of competition and fun in the Berkshires. The event opened promptly at 11a.m. with the Parade of Sleighs circling around to the background tune of "March of the Toys" Sleigh bells jingled in the frosty air and smiling drivers pleased large crowds of spectators in what looked like a scene out of Dr. Zhivago. Fur coats and hats were the dress of the day, as, for example, seen worn by Ray Casella of Agawam, as he admitted folks at the entrance way with his outgoing and warm personality. John Greenall looked very the part in his long fur coat and matching hat. He traveled from Vermont to judge the rally, while Ray's wife Kelly looked much like "Lara" in her turnout as she drove Taktik, a Warmblood gelding owned by Mr. and Mrs. Waller. Ellen Shaw drove her mini, once again with her usual style and was joined this year by her husband Phillip, driving another mini. Phillip took home reserve honors in that division, while championship Pony/Mini was won by twelve year old Harley Waller, driving his Welch Pony, "Always Say Please" Harley also took second place in the Pony division of the Currier and Ives class. Pair's Championship went to Robert LaBrie with his handsome black Fresians who also came from Vermont to compete. The Sleigh Dog class was won by Miss Lydia Downey with her dog passenger "Milo" and second going to Lyn Howard and "Crackerjack" Lyn also won Reserve Champion Horse with the Champion going to Heather Truax. It was a splendid day for all, many fortified themselves with excellent refresments..some of which were cooked right outside on a grill under the snowflakes. Here I am moved to mention of my unique experience earlier this holiday season when I got to meet Mr. Rolf Anderson, son of the late LeRoy Anderson who wrote the song :Sleighride" Rolf was the guest of the Holyoke Civic Orchestra at their Christmas concert. We were told Anderson actually wrote most of the song during a July heat wave. Maybe he just wanted some thoughts to cool off. What ever, it turned out to be a hit. Thanks to all volunteers for a well-run show and to Orleton Farm for a long to be remembered sleigh rally again. See you at the March 11 Pot-luck Dinner Meeting at Orleton farm at 6:45p.m. |