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Clinicians for 2008
Clinician Olaf Nyby
Olaf Nyby is an advanced level driver and one of Europe’s top horsemen. Olaf has ridden and driven horses since childhood – recreationally, competitively and commercially – and has worked with all breeds of horses. In addition, he has traveled extensively in the equine communities of the USA, Canada, and Europe, including visits at the Royal Mews in England, Sweden and Denmark.
Today Olaf operates Vognmannsservice, a full service carriage business, where he makes quality harness including traditional Norwegian harness. He also designs and makes recreational and competition vehicles and is an authorized dealer for Smucker’s harness, Kutzmann carriages, Dobert whips and “everything for the driving horse”. At the same time, Olaf trains driving and riding horses, and gives clinics in driving and general horsemanship throughout Norway and internationally.
Olaf’s philosophy is based on the natural behavior and physiology of the horse. Whether training beginners or working with advanced horses and drivers, Olaf emphasizes his belief that horses need to work, and thrive when their training matches their physical and mental potential. Olaf teaches that a good relationship between horse and horseman is one of mutual respect and trust. No matter what discipline, Olaf’s goal is always the same: a comfortable, confident and responsive horse.
Clinician Robert (Bob) Giles
Robert (Bob) Giles, driving-horse trainer, and professional driver is equally comfortable in the carriage box or behind a hitch of draft horses. As a trainer, he is particularly adept at correcting undesirable behaviors in abused, neglected, or traumatized horses. His training program emphasizes safety, and driver-horse rapport. Whenever possible he prefers close participation of the owner/driver in their horse’s training. Mr. Giles employs his own exceptionally well-trained horses introducing green horses to harness and hitch.
Bob has been a draft hitch driver since youth, doing farm work and logging in the Maine woods throughout his teen years. He owned and operated a driving horse training center, Gentle Brook Farm, in Maine for 14 years. He and his wife Brenda then started the Winter Hill Driving Center in Morriston, Florida, which they operate to this day. He was a tour carriage driver at the Arcadia National Parke in Maine for several years. He has done coaching with four-in-hands of Friesians, Gelderlanders, and Morgan for various clients, and driven and competed four and six-horse Clydesdale hitches.
Bob was navigator for Larry Poulin at the Rhinebeck, Germany World Cup Competition in 1987. He is now a well-known CDE competitor in the Southeast, frequently securing class wins. He is very active as clinician, participant and contestant in Florida driving events, to include the Florida State Fair, Gloria Austin’s Continental Acres Equine Resort, and the Scottish Festival in Ocala.
Clinician Dana Bright
Mrs.Dana Bright
Felton PA
ADS and USEF judge
Dana's teaching career started in England in 1974, when she passed the British Horse Society's Assistant Instructor's Exam during her senior year in high school. Her college career began with an Animal Science degree from Michigan State College, then completing the Instructor’s Course at Morven Park Equestrian Center in Virginia. During her riding career she was fortunate to learn from Hubert Rohrer, Karl Mikolka and Jeremy Beale, as well as being a working student for International competitor and Olympian Bruce Davidson.
She began carriage driving in 1982, and found her ridden dressage, stable management, and cross-country riding experience very valuable for success in producing driving animals. Driving gradually took over more of her equine activities when it became obvious that the first driving pony in the barn was going to become an Advanced level competitor before the event horse. Dana’s love of equines was inherited by her children. She became involved with United States Pony Club as the District Commissioner, and head instructor and camp organizer of her local club. Now she is the outgoing director of the American Driving Society’s Mid-Atlantic Region, and uses this experience to help organize the Mid-Atlantic Regional Recreational Driving Weekend at Fair Hill, Maryland, now in it’s 10th year.
Dana is committed to seeing the sport of driving and her love of it—whether for pleasure, show or Combined Driving competition — passed on to the next generation. The ADS Young Driver's camp at the Carriage Barn in New Hampshire has been fortunate to have her as an instructor for the past two years, and she enjoys it so much she will be returning for the 2008 session. She has been instrumental in developing and teaching the two-part “Introduction to Driving” clinic offered by My Lady's Manor Driving Club. She has also volunteered with United States Driving for the Disabled.
Although Dana enjoys competing her homebred Welsh ponies, and believes that competition can give goals and structure to one’s driving, she enjoys working with all drivers to help them to reach their personal goals. She enjoys the huge range of breeds her students own. Her goal as an instructor is to help drivers reach a better understanding of how their horses need to function in harness and achieve a safe partnership, whatever their choice of driving activity. Good driving is educated driving, whether in the ring or on a trail.
Dana's goal is to produce students who are confident, independent drivers who can make informed decisions on their own, rather than waiting for someone to tell them what to do next.
Clinician Bill Lower
Bill Lower is one of the few long time driving experts in the United States beginning his career in1974. His years of experience and expertise have led to many impressive accomplishments including the winner of the USET’s 1981 National Four-In-Hand Championships. His competition success continued when he was selected to represent the United States Team in the 1987 World Pairs Championships and then going on to win the USET’s 1990 National Pairs Championships.
Lower’s expertise made him a much sought after coach by many top U.S. competitors of combined driving.. Drivers such as Ryan Weatherford, 2005 National Singles Champion, Scott Padgett, member of the U.S. Singles Team for 2004, Fritz Grupe member of the 2005 U.S. Pairs Team and Chester Weber of Live Oak Farm who is the most accomplished 4-In-Hand driver in the U.S. holding numerous World Championship titles in combined driving. The roster of successful Bill Lower students would fill up this page. The individuals mentioned are but a small sample of those who have benefited from Lower’s experience and coaching.
Mr. Lower still passes on his knowledge, experience and expertise at clinics throughout the United States and Canada. He currently resides in Williston, Florida with his wife Sherri where they are active members within the driving community.
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