Clippity clopping along the streets of Zoar Village
by Jennifer Kneuss
May 16, 2011
412
Summary: Summary: On Sunday afternoons of long ago, the clip clop of horses hooves were most likely heard along the side streets of Zoar Village in Tuscarawas County. On Sunday, May 15, they were heard once again.
Dick and Dock pranced impatiently as they waited for their owner, Larry Smith of Stow, Ohio, to prepare their antique open air wicker and wood carriage for the Western Reserve Carriage Associations annual Zoar Pleasure Drive in Zoar on Sunday, May 15. The set of matched Morgans were not the only horses eager to take part in the drive.
Dorie is eight years old, and is a rare, golden colored Norwegian Fjord. Her owners, Jon and Nancy Romer of Dover, had the first Norwegian Fjords in Ohio when they purchased their first Fjords in 1984. They have been in love with the breed ever since.
When the foals are born, they are almost pure white in color, and have a very curly coat and mane, said Nancy Romer. They are just adorable, and have the sweetest temperaments. Our grandson was present when Dorie was born, and he named her Dorie after the fish in a Disney movie.
We have these drives about every month or so, said member Fran Hansen, who was assisting Smith and wearing a long yellow Macintosh to field off the light drizzle. We gather for a potluck dinner, and then drive around the area we are visiting. When the weather is nice, we dress up for the event, but on days like today, not so much, she admitted, as she laughed and pointed toward the overcast sky above. Hopefully, we will be able to take our drive soon, before the heavier rains come.
Members say that the number of carriages that participate can vary widely, and much is dependent on the weather and gas prices. Some drive great distances with their livestock trailers to attend.
Floyd and Linda Wells have a carriage business, Wells Go Far, in Sullivan, Ohio, and own eight horses that are used for weddings, proms, and other special events. We got involved because we liked the idea of pleasure drives, said Linda Wells. We kind of collect horses, including Haflingers, a miniature horse, a paint horse I ride, and a Hackney-Percheron cross that just had a foal.
I have been a horse fan as long as I can remember. I started with horses when I was seven, and by ten I was rough breaking horses and learning how to be a farrier, stated Floyd Wells. I dont have a rib, finger, or toe that has not been broken at least once. Driving horses is a lot tamer, if you have the right horses, though I have had a few who have blown up on me over the years, he admitted.
Shepherds Purse Sweet Gale was present for the pleasure ride. She is a rare Dartmoor pony; one of only about 200 in the United States. Gale pulled a pony cart and stood patiently as she waited for the other horses to be hitched to their carriages so the ride could begin. Her owner told visitors about the ponies long history, dating back centuries. The ponies eventually became endangered. By WWII, the ponies ran wild on the moors, and were unfortunately the target for soldiers weaponry practice. By 1957, the breed had recovered significantly, but today they are still uncommon.
Carmela Dalton of Shaker Heights doesnt have her own horses, but she is a member of the association and comes along for the pleasure rides.
We are volunteers for the carriage driving program at Fieldstone Farms Therapeutic Riding Center, which is a facility for emotionally, physically, and mentally disabled children and adults. That is how we found out about this association, so we joined. We really enjoy it. We are one of the few members who dont have horses, said Dalton. People are always offering us rides, however, so here we are!
A few minutes later, Dalton had swung up into the carriage drawn by Dick and Dock, and was on her way through the village with other participants in the Zoar Pleasure Drive.
