Therapeutic Carriage Driving - Para Equestrian Driver

Jaques Poppen, Gold Medal winning Para Driver from The Netherlands, was here for five days, Thursday 20th through Monday 24th April, at the beautiful Sargent Equestrian Center in Lodi, CA. Fifteen people attended this year’s clinic. Lessons were available every day; participants could choose to work in the dressage arena, out in the obstacles, two of which were gated A through E, or in the full sized cones course, designed by Madeleine Augustsson. On Saturday morning there was an informal dressage show, which gave the opportunity to drive your test of choice in front of Jacques, who is a registered dressage judge. On Sunday afternoon there was a fun and fast derby competition in the indoor arena. On the social side there was a BBQ pot luck Friday evening outside the show barn, and those who still had the energy took Jacques out to dinner at the wonderful Coyotes Mexican restaurant in nearby Lockeford on Saturday evening. Cecilia Kirks chauffeured Jacques, including fetching and returning him to San Francisco Airport — a huge thank you to Cece!

Prizes of goody-filled gift bags were awarded to:
Best Overall Dressage Score: Tie between Moire Creek and Lucy Huckins, both with a score of 37.
Winner Derby Novice Class: Lucy Huckins
Winner Derby Open Class: Jules Stewart

Thank you to US Driving for the Disabled for financially supporting this clinic, as well as Jeanne Willliams/Sargent Equestrian Center/Madeleine Augustsson, without whose help and generosity this clinic would not have been possible. Thank you also to all those who supported this clinic financially and with their talents and time: Cecilia Kirks, Ginny Leal (Organizer), Jan Rey, Terri Riley, Sharon Silva, Caroline Strongman, and Peggy Wagner.

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