Kathie Rindge has made arrangements for an exciting new venue for our first drive of the 2012 season. Join us on Saturday, April 28, at 11 am, for a drive through Meshomasic State Forest, located (in part) in South Glastonbury. 4 gravel roads, rolling hills – if all roads are taken, up to 17 miles of trail! Maps will be available with mileage and turn-around points (no loops). Parking and “staging area” are offered to us by Beacon Woods Stables. Bring your lunch and plan on having a GREAT DAY!

Please call Kathie Rindge to let her know you are coming: 860-228-3801.

(For GPS, use 298 Clark Hill Road,South Glastonbury, CT 06073, watch for Beacon Woods on your left shortly before that destination. )

DIRECTIONS:
1. From RT. 2 West take exit 10 at end of ramp, go left to stop sign. OR
2. From RT. 2 East take exit 10 at end of ramp, go right to stop sign.
3. Turn right onto New London turnpike go 0.6 mi
4. Turn left at stop light onto Chestnut Hill Rd go 0.8mi
5. At stop sign Turn left onto Hopewell Rd go 0.5mi
6. Take slight left onto Woodland St go straight across stop sign 1.5 mi
7. Turn left onto Clark Hill Rd go 0.8mi
8. Turn left onto Beacon Woods Lane to parking

Marc Johnson’s obstacles have been borrowed and copied all up and down the East Coast.

Come find out what you need to build your own – just think of all the practice you will get in once you have an obstacle at home!

Marc will show-and-tell as he builds portable and storable hazard components in the morning, followed by an after-lunch “trot-through” and Q&A about different ways to flag an obstacle to be both challenging and safe.

Event begins at 10 am at Cynthia Bliven’s Woodland Farm, 194 Beaver Brook Rd, Lyme CT 06371. Please bring your lunch and a chair.

The Connecticut Valley Driving Trial is gearing up for JUNE 9, 2012 – get your entries in! This eagerly awaited event will once again take place at the beautiful Haddam Meadows State Park in Haddam, CT. Dana Bright will serve as President of the Jury and Marcie Quist will join us as Technical Delegate. Click here to go to the ADS Omnibus for further details.

Also Clinic and Fun Day Slots Available for Sunday Fun Day!

• Enjoy a lesson with one of the officials the day after the event -
• Or just come and play on the course for your enjoyment and practice!
• Dressage ring, cones and hazards available most of the day (through early afternoon).
• Competitors: send your clinic form along with your entry – we make it easy for you!
• Event Volunteers: remember, you get a nice discount for lessons – take this opportunity to sign up!

TWO DAYS!

April 14 & 15, 2012 ~ High Hopes, Lyme, CT

Internationally renowned driver Larry Poulin will bring his experience and insights for CVDC’s 2012 spring clinic. Best known for his success in combined driving, Larry competed an unprecedented 10 times at the World Championships, and won 8 USET Pairs Championships here in the US. He teaches all levels of drivers and all types of turnout. His focus on training the horse and developing the whip will enhance your driving experience, whether for show or for pleasure. Larry will conduct individual 45-minute sessions, beginning at 8 am and ending at approximately 5 pm. ALL CLINIC SLOTS HAVE BEEN FILLED!

GET THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE:

Auditors pay $20. There is an excellent sound system, you won’t miss a thing!

Some refreshments (coffee, etc.) will be provided. Please bring a light lunch for yourself.

Click here to download a sponsorship brochure

We need sponsors of all sizes and styles. All levels include an ad in the event program. This is a starting point only, we are willing to discuss other options!

Hazard or Cones Course Sponsor – $250
Vendor on grounds – $250
Banner ad (supplied by sponsor) – $75
Business card ad – $35
Donations for prizes: products, gift certificates for services, etc.

The club year runs from June 1 to May 31, which means RENEWALS ARE NOW DUE.
(Not yet a member? Well, what are you waiting for? We’re fun and affordable!)

CLICK HERE for a member form, and mail it with your check ($25 for single/family membership, $20 for seniors) to:
CVDC
c/o Erica Robb, Treasurer
62 Shore Rd
Old Lyme, CT 06371

You do not want to miss this jewel, right in our back yard! The Wordell’s have an incredible collection of carriages, sleighs, wagons, large, small, wheels, runner. Ranging from fancy Brewsters to the tiny mail carriage to the huge gypsy van wagon.

RSVP is required, contact Rita at program@cvdrivingclub.com or 860-204-9314.

Saturday & Sunday, April 14-15, 2012 ~ High Hopes, Lyme, CT

Internationally renowned driver Larry Poulin will again bring his experience and insights for CVDC’s 2012 spring clinic. Best known for his success in combined driving, Larry competed an unprecedented 10 times at the World Championships, and won 8 USET Pairs Championships here in the US. He teaches all levels of drivers and all types of turnout. His focus on training the horse and developing the whip will enhance your driving experience, whether for show or for pleasure. Larry will conduct individual 45-minute sessions, beginning at 8 am.

Don’t miss this opportunity!
Last year’s sessions filled within a week,
so reserve your spot early!

Details:

§ CVDC Members $100, first come, first served. Register by March 15 to secure your spot! One session per driver. Additional sessions available after March 15.

§ Non-members $125, registrations accepted after March 15. Fee includes one year CVDC membership.

§ Auditors:  $20. Excellent sound system, you won’t miss a thing. (Drivers: one groom free of charge.)

High Hopes has a spacious indoor arena with non-dusty footing and a heated viewing lounge with seating. Bathrooms, vending machines, and wide barn aisles. Easy in-and-out and parking for trailers. Stalls available @ $35/day if needed.

Some refreshments (coffee, etc.) will be provided. Please bring a light lunch for yourself.

Send check made out to CVDC, Coggins and Rabies Certificate to

Marguerite Hayber, 109 Chittenden Rd., Amston, CT 06231 / 860-267-6552 / marguerite@hayber.us — mention preference for Saturday or Sunday, AM or PM slot.

East Haddam Grange ~ 6:30 pm ~ Potluck followed by program

Bevin Brothers, one of the oldest continuously operated factories in Connecticut (making hand-crafted bells since 1832), is the last remnant of a once-thriving industry that earned East Hampton the nickname “Bell Town, USA.” East Hampton once produced 90 percent of the world’s sleigh bells. In addition to traditional sleigh bells, Bevin Brosnow produces cow bells sold  at football games and ski races, teacher’s bells, tea bells. patio and yacht bells, even the hand bells that Salvation Army workers ring outside retail stores. “It’s nostalgia,” Bevin says. “Bells make attractive sounds that bring back so many important moments in a life — weddings, the dinner bell, Christmas. They conjure up images that were important in people’s lives.”

That nostalgia runs deep in the New England experience, even if few people recall exactly how sleigh bells came to symbolize winter and the Christmas season. In the 19th century, when roads were narrow and curved, sleigh runners gliding over the snow were almost completely silent. Harness bells were introduced to warn pedestrians and others on the road about the approach of another sleigh, and were considered so important that many states passed laws requiring their use.

See more at http://bevinbells.com/