A Texan Pony in Germany

A Story about competing in the IPEC World Carriage Driving Championships...

By Meghan Benge

       As the engines of the airplane roared below us, it still seemed odd that our ponies were right behind us, flying in the cargo section of the plane. But it was true. Our months of planning were becoming a reality as we lifted off into the night sky on a crowded plane headed for Amsterdam. Little did our pony, Eric, know that he was beginning his biggest journey yet- competing at the World Disabled Driving Championships in Greven, Germany. 

Eric on the plane, on his way to Amsterdam, Holland.

The flight from New York City to Amsterdam took six cramped hours. The plane was packed full with human passengers, but the equine passengers were just fine. Finally, we arrived exhausted in Olfen, Germany home to the Kurbaums Welsh Cob Farm. The ponies, Eric and Robo, and humans, Keady and Miranda Cadwell, and my mother, Peggy, and I stayed in Olfen until it was time to move to the showgrounds. The rest of the American team arrived later, which included Diane Kastama and her parents from California; Diane’s navigator, William Rhoades from Colorado; Laurie McClearen from Georgia, also a navigator; and Kate Rivers from Florida.

When Kate arrived it became apparent that she would be unable to drive in the show, as she was recovering from an accident that she had at her house. After a bit of strategizing, it was decided that I would take over Robo’s reins and my mother, the first alternate, would drive our pony, Eric. Meanwhile, Diane was getting accustomed to Sherlock, the Welsh Cob stallion she leased for the show. Sherlock is owned by the Wiemers Family, which also owns and operates the Kurbaums Farm. 

After two weeks of intensive driving practice, a little sight seeing, and after quite a bit of ice cream was consumed by Team USA, it was time to head to Greven. We were met there by our chef d’equipe, Hardy Zantke. The showgrounds were very different than most venues driving competitions are held at in the USA. The show had not a concession stand, but a kitchen that served three meals each day. The tent they set up had a wooden floor and was positioned next to the dressage and cones arena so that people could watch from inside. Most of the hazards were built in close proximity of one another and in the middle of them was a big bank for spectators to stand and watch from. Big timers were also at each hazard, so that one could instantly compare the competitors’ times. 

Dressage day dawned bright and early, and all three members of Team USA managed to pull off decent dressage tests to put Team USA in third going into marathon. Diane and I were both 4^th in our groups, with my mother close behind. The groups were determined by your disabilities classifaction. Grade 1 is the more severely disabled, and Grade 2 the less disabled. Diane is Grade 1; my mother and I are Grade 2. 

Eric in dressage with Peggy Benge, Laurie McClearen is the groom.

At the end of the day, there was an opening ceremony. I didn’t understand a whole lot of it, since it was in German. However, we were surprised when it came for time for us to enter the arena, there were hundreds of little kids standing in the middle all with balloons. They were waving and snapping them. All horses drove by them without incident though and we were relieved about this because they were quite a sight!The opening ceremony included awarding the placings for dressage. The winners won a new holly whip. Competing also at the show were horse pairs and pony four in hands, and they received their awards also. 

On marathon day, it was cold! Diane and Sherlock had a great go over the marathon course. By the time I got to the last two hazards, it was sprinkling rain, and my reins were slippery!  Robo and I made a few extra loops in the last hazard, but otherwise did well. Mom and Eric, well, she had a little mishap which included going through a gate backwards. Oh well, that happens! Diane moved up to the bronze medal position with her great marathon score. In the afternoon, we returned to the hazards to watch the pony four in hands come through and they were amazing. All were very smooth in the hazards and some were very speedy also. 

Diane Kastama and Welsh Cob Stallion, Derwen Sherlock Holmes, on the marathon phase. William Rhoades is navigator.

The cones course was smooth and easy, and the time allowed was easy to make. All three members of Team USA drove clean, securing the bronze medal position. Great Britain won silver and Germany gold. Diane moved up to individual silver, when one of the competitors knocked down a ball. The gold medallist walked through several cones to assure that he wouldn’t hit them!! 

Driving a clear round qualified us for the drive off. All but eight pairs of cones were removed from the arena. I had to go very first. My chef d’equipe and my coach kept telling me to go really fast. I was only following their direction when I drove the course in the fastest time by 10 seconds. Unfortunately two balls came down! Oops! Diane drove speedily also, and had one ball down to win the cones for Grade 1! My mother was working on a winning round when she went off course! Maybe we should suggest she start taking some gingko? (Just kidding, Mom!) 

Robo and I in the cones drive off. Notice the number of hooves on the ground! Randy Cadwell is groom.

TEAM USA !!!

The closing ceremonies didn’t include any kids with balloons, and we were thankful for that! We received our much worked for medals and ribbons. The winners got lots of loot! And then it was all over. We spent Monday back in Olfen as our flight was on Tuesday. We ate ice cream once again and discussed the weekend’s events! Our trip back was uneventful and we were glad to finally be safely back home in warm, sunshiny Texas. They need to work on the sunshine thing in Germany. There were many people who made our trip possible. Namely, Keady and Miranda (Randy) Cadwell, and Laurie McClearen for tirelessly taking care of the ponies and the people! Laurie and Randy also navigated and Keady served as our team coach. Hardy kept everyone on track as our chef d’equipe. One of the most important was the thoughtful people who sent their dollars to help support Team USA in our endeavor. Last, but certainly not least, was my (and Mom’s) cheering section, my dad, my two aunts and my grandmother! Everyone’s efforts were much appreciated in my “trip of a lifetime.” 

SCENES FROM THE COMPETITION

Diane and Sherlock in the cones drive off.

Peggy, Laurie and Eric on the marathon. Photo copyright welsh-pony.de

Robo in the opening ceremony.

German driver Tobias Bücker drives Welsh Section Bs.

Another pony four in hand.

Making an exit from a hazard..

Robo and I on the marathon.

Eric and Robo on their way to New York City.