Horses, history come together at Carriage Classic competition

By Correne Martin

A little known fact about the Villa Louis Carriage Classic in Prairie du Chien is that it’s actually run by a 501c3 foundation on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Villa Louis grounds. Competitors come from all over the U.S.—and even Canada, in the past—to partake in the horse-drawn carriage competition, which is the perfect outdoors activity for anyone with a love of history or horses to attend. 

This will be Michael Rider 20th year organizing the classic, which is sanctioned by the American Driving Society. It is scheduled Sept. 7-9, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. 

Rider and his immediate family run the show, with help from the Villa Louis staff, Todd Folyer and family, as well as third-generation participant Gracie (White) Ferries. 

In 1999, Rider stepped into the shoes of Dean Achenbach and Jay Houser, the founders of the Carriage Classic in 1981.

Rider himself drove in his first show in 1992, when he was a sophomore in high school. As a “city boy,” he never had his own horses but showed Dean and Connie Achenbach’s horses. He was also a 4-H kid and ran a stopwatch at the Carriage Classic when he was about 8 or 9. As he grew up, he also took a liking to carriages and now owns several of his own. 

Rider can’t believe it’s the 38th annual show this year. 

“It’s grown beyond what I would’ve imagined when I first started,” Rider stated. “Every year, it’s a challenge. But I like the competitors and it’s nice to meet new people.”

Some 135 people will participate in what is 2018’s largest pleasure driving show in the country. Rider said drivers are coming from as far as New York, Florida, Texas and Colorado this weekend. Some are as young as 6 or 7, while others are in their 80s, and everyone else falls in between. 

They will compete in various divisions: novice and limit, novice horse, minis and donkeys, ponies and horses, pairs of minis and donkeys, pairs of ponies and horses, and multiples. In each division, there are usually a half-dozen classes: driver’s skill, horse’s skill,  cleanliness of the ride, obstacles-points and obstacles-timed. 

Rider noted that competitors will drive in conservative dress, while wearing hats—because it’s a show. He said there will be many fancy carriages and attire, though it is a misconception that the participants are all rich.

“There are wealthy people in the show, but most of them are just average, working people,” he commented. “Local people should just come watch it and get a feel for the arena driving with the organist and music. Then, there’s the obstacle course, which includes cross country, cones and gambler’s choice.”

He laughed, adding, “The whole thing is like a two-ring circus.”

Joking aside, he encourages newcomers and returning fans to stop down as action will be happening most of the day this Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. 

This year, at 10 a.m. each day, speaker Gloria Austin will give lectures for those interested. Just as there has been the past few years, there will be a stable tour both days at 1:30 p.m., when site visitors can pet the horses and see their stables. 

“This has been very popular,” Rider said. 

Some special additions to the Villa Louis grounds have or are being made in memory of longtime facilities manager and Carriage Classic volunteer Ken White. 

“Ken was meticulously organized and, when he retired here, he left his records behind,” Rider shared. “His family gave them to us (after he passed away).” 

Overall, it’s a well-organized, laid-back and family-friendly event. There are bleachers, benches and seating under tents. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets and find a cozy spot under a tree to watch the fun. There’s food on site, but carry-ins are also allowed.

Rider said the show is inexpensive, especially if local residents use the “buy one/get one” coupon that was mailed out.