Thirty drivers met last Sunday at Claire Reid’s Big Sky Farm to enjoy a relaxed day of driving dressage and cones.

Organized by a small group of members from the Moore County Driving Club, headed by Marcie Quist and Dana Diemer, the intent of the day was to make all drivers regardless of experience feel welcome.

A new element to the schooling day was added this weekend. The cones course was opened on Saturday morning for competitors to walk, and in the afternoon they were allowed to drive it — once, twice or as many times as time and the lineup would allow. The only stipulation was that they had to bring someone with them to reset any cones that they dislodged during their practice rounds.

This opportunity added to their enjoyment of the day on Sunday as they saluted cones judge Tommy Doonan with added confidence. Nonetheless, few clear rounds were posted.

Sue Smithson judged the entries in dressage. She was unfazed by the number of different tests (at least four levels, some with different tests within the level) that were presented to her, giving much appreciated comments, especially for the lower level drivers.

Many entries were from the Moore County area, but many also came from as far away as Tryon and Virginia.

At the advanced level, Kelly Valdes, driving her Gelderlander, Wonderboy, was practicing for the FEI CAI-B competition this weekend in Ocala, Fla. Although she entered the Florida show at the intermediate level, she hopes to move up to advanced and try for a spot on the U.S. World Singles Championship team.

Quist has loaned her advanced horse Halstead’s Shale (Hal) to Jacob Arnold. Arnold recently was named USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year, and expectations for his future successes are high. He too is hoping for a place on the world championship team.

Quist is introducing another Hackney horse to the top level. The three had a friendly rivalry throughout the day, with Arnold ending up on top. He earned the best dressage score of the day (34.56 penalty points) but incurred six penalties in cones. He and Hal are still getting to know one another.

The largest class was the preliminary single pony class. Diemer beat out seven other drivers and was particularly happy with her zero penalty cones drive.

Pat Cameron drove two different miniature horses (called VSEs or Very Small Equines) at the training level.

For those who have never competed before and are even reluctant to enter at the training level, a new division was introduced last winter called green as grass (with the unfortunate abbreviation GAG).

Ronnie and Marilyn Davenport and Susan Emmert took advantage of this opportunity, with Emmert winning the class with a solid dressage score and a double clear in the cones round.

Another schooling day is scheduled for Feb. 12, again at Big Sky Farm, this time with hazard driving added to the mix.

Results can be found at www.drivingnews.us.