36 SIDELINES DECEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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By Lauren R. Giannini
Katydid Combined Driving Event celebrated its 10th anniversary
from November 1-4 with preliminary, intermediate and advanced
divisions for single, pair and tandem/four-in-hands for ponies and
horses. Katrina Becker’s Katydid Farm in Windsor, just outside
Aiken, South Carolina, has provided an ideal venue since the
inception of this competition with its three-phases of dressage,
marathon and cones. The 280-acre training facility offers lovely
trails and good footing, and the obstacles for the cross-country
and marathon are challenging for each level.
Katrina’s interest in driving took root during her childhood and
eventually blossomed into a passion for coaching. She competed
a single horse in both pleasure and combined driving in the
1980s-90s and competed at the preliminary level into her 70s.
Katrina contested her last CDE at Live Oak in 2003 and remains
a loyal supporter of driving and follows the action enthusiastically,
especially when she can watch her daughter-in-law and Team
Matheson in action.
Jennifer Matheson, who began driving in her native Ontario,
Canada, has become one of the top pony whips in the nation.
She earned the USEF National Pair Pony championship in
2010 and again in 2011. She was a member of the US bronze
medal team at the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships
in Lipica, Slovenia. She manages Katydid Farm, which offers
stallion services, clinics and combined driving events. Jennifer
and Katydid head coachman Taren (Taz) Lester with his British
coaching background oversee the various “hazards” of the CDE’s
marathon courses, which were designed by Barry Hunter (UK).
The Aiken Driving Club (ADC), founded in 1985, has grown
into a membership of more than 200 families and individuals
actively involved in driving, whether it’s combined, pleasure or
recreational. ADC president Peggy Dils serves as the secretary
and manager of the Katydid CDE. ADC members volunteer for
the annual event; but Katydid also attracts spectators involved in
foxhunting, polo, eventing and racing. In 2009 Katydid served as a
four-in-hand qualifer for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
With the increasing interest in driving, here are a few words of
sound advice. “First thing – get help from someone who knows
what they’re talking about,” said Katrina. “They don’t have to be
professional; they just have to know what they’re doing. Start with
a horse that has mileage. Not every horse wants to drive. Know
the traffc rules. Like any equestrian sport, you have to be prepared
for the unexpected. Listen to everything – no matter what kind of
horse sport you’re in, there’s always something you can learn.”
For more information, visit KatydidFarm.com, AikenDrivingClub.
com and the AmericanDrivingSociety.org.
Whip Jennifer Matheson and Katrina Becker accept the trophy
and blue rosette for Team Matheson’s win in the FEI Pair Pony
division at Live Oak International last March in Ocala, Florida.
Photo by Sara Wampole
Katrina Becker enjoys a drive in beautiful Aiken, South Carolina.
Photo by George Buggs