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The third National Drive, a near-week-long event designed primarily for recreational drivers, attracted turnouts from across America and Canada to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
 Held October 10-14, the National Drive grew by more than 40 percent as nearly 400 people registered and more than 300 horses signed up. The horses ranged from a bevy of Miniatures to ton-plus Percherons which were driven as a pair throughout the park.
Drive officials reserved 450 stalls with the park (keeping in mind the need for tack stalls) and most were occupied.
The National Drive Board of Directors decided that there will be no increase in rates for the 2008 Drive which is scheduled for one additional day, October 7-12. An additional barn of stalling is to be made available for the 2008 drive which directors feel will handle an anticipated expansion. Each year their guess as to the number of attendees has been close to accurate, creating just enough stalling to hold the event.
The board also inaugurated a new logo for the drive.
A new secretary for the event has already taken over the position. She is Kathy Courtemanche, 2624 Highway 1284 West, Berry, Kentucky 41003. The Drive’s email is thenationaldrive@yahoo.com. The Web site is www.nationaldrive.net.
The Drive is founded on the premise that many people interested in driving fall into the category of recreational drivers, folks who just like to hitch their horse(s) at home and drive wherever they can on a pleasant day. They’re not interested in competitions, CDEs, or outings in which attire and formality are key features.
The Drive lives up to its billing as a laid-back experience with few organized activities arranged in a flexible framework which allows participants to delegate their time in a variety of ways.
 This year private lessons were available from three different professionals: Elizabeth Keathley, Tennessee; Olaf Nyby, Norway; and Bob Giles, Florida. Additionally the professionals presented several clinics open to everyone throughout the five-day event. Other clinics ranged from equine anatomy to a dressage presentation and table discussion guided by participants’ questions.
An equine scale was on the grounds two days to allow anyone who wished an opportunity to weigh their horse.
Trails were laid out and marked throughout the park as a guide for the ever-popular trace pace (winners were awarded merchandise prizes) and other guided tours into the far reaches of the expanded park.
The vendor area saw nearly double the number of vendors as were present the year before, offering driving merchandise of every variety. One vendor held a country western band concert along with hors d’ouvres, cocktails and soft drinks two afternoons.
Coffee and doughnuts were provided each morning by the Driving Digest (78 dozen doughnuts were served on Saturday morning alone).
The event concluded with a Mimosa Drive at which finger food and mimosa cocktails were offered to whips and passengers on mid-day Sunday.
“We think the National Drive is maturing with each passing year,” Mike Lyon, president of the board of directors commented following this year’s event. “Where it goes from here remains in the hands of the participants. They tell us what they want and we’ll try to get it accomplished.”
And those participants responded to this year’s drive with dozens of letters and emails telling the board how much they enjoyed the drive.
“Don’t change a thing,” one letter from Wisconsin, told the board. “I’ve never had as much fun at a driving event as I have had at the National Drive over the past three years. Make my reservations for next year now so I can apply for vacation where I work.”
Another, this one from Florida, “I don’t have any suggestions to make it better. It’s just the most fun I have ever had since I started driving five years ago. You people spend a lot of time to make sure we enjoy our stay at the park and I want you to know I really appreciate it. Thanks again.”
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