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The town of New Marlboro Massachusetts is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year and, on October 11th, the CC &DS was recently featured presenting a Sporting Day of Traditional Driving. Along with this friendly event, designed to preserve traditional elements of driving, there was an exhibition of the Hackney Pony in honor of New Marborough’s Hackney Pony history. The purpose of a Sporting Day of Driving is to preserve and celebrate the carriage driving style of bygone days. The day focuses on three phases which include a Turnout inspection, a Country Drive; and a timed Cones Obstacle Course. Some 14 participants gathered to drive in this scenic village, founded in 1759. The day was typically Fall in New England. Towns along the way were holding Columbus Day fairs. Leaves were turning color. The air was crisp and cool. The atmosphere at the site of the event had a rather British flavor, what with a number of folks wearing their Wellingtons and tweed jackets. They walked about with smart looking dogs as they spectated the first Phase of the Competition (a Presentation Driving Test) The judging for this portion was handled by Macy Hill of Virginia. As each entrant completed this test, they left one by one, for the Country Drive of approximately 5 miles and lasting 45 minutes. Upon completing the drive, they returned and entered another arena for the Cones course. Following a lunch break of delicious hot soups and sandwiches, spectators viewed a driving demonstration of a Hackney Pony named Totally Excellent owned and shown by Nathan Roden and trained by the Rodney Hicks Stables in Pittsfield. The Pony, owned by Betty and Nathan Roden of Middletown CT., is a double bred descendant of the Cassilis Farm history, of Hackneys in New Marlboro as follows: Mr. Hildreth Bloodgood imported the first Hackneys to America in 1888 where they were kept at his estate known as Cassilis Farm. Mr. Bloodgood, who also raised prize winning sheep, cattle, and Cocker Spaniels, was succeeded by his daughter, Gladys Bloodgood, who married J. Macy Willets, showed her Hackneys in PA and continued on the Class A circuit which included Devon, the Big E, and the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. She is said to have showed for 50 years at the “Nationals.” Mrs. Willets granddaughters, Billie and Macy Hill carry out the legacy with horses today with driving and judging. The day ended with awards presented to the following: Pairs: 1st, Rosemary Werner; 2nd Mary Hayes; 3rd, Mary Stokes Waller, 4th, Peter Von Halem, 5th Atrrienne St. Cyr. Single Horse: 1st Kris Retter, 2nd, Judith Shaw, 3rd, Beth Podjajecki Pony Pair, 1st, Ann Bliss, 2nd, Harley Waller Single Pony, 1st Christina Alsop, 2nd Carol Frank, 3rd, Laurie Danaher Single VSE 1st, Carol Terry. A special trophy that was donated and made available to mark this event, given by Macy Hill was awarded to 13 year old Harley Waller for the best Turnout. Harley looked stunning in his topper as did his groom passenger. Congratulations Harley! We wish to thank Karl and Laura Riva for providing wagon rides to the spectators with their team of Belgians. We thank all the volunteers and committees of the New Marlboro Anniversary Celebration for helping make this a successful event. |