Aiken, SC – The Second Annual Salute to Driving fundraising event is pleased to announce that it will once again be held in Aiken, and Windsor SC, February 18-20, 2012, and will feature many exciting new additions. Last year’s debut event benefited this country’s High Performance Driving programs for the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, raising over $30,000. Salute to Driving will kick-off its festivities on Saturday, February 18, 2012, with dressage clinics by Tjreed Velstra of The Netherlands and Hardy Zantke of California at Chateau Log and Courage to Lead Farms. Auditing these clinics is free, and Velstra will lead the USEF long listed drivers while Zantke teaches the developing drivers. Other special events include a hazard demonstration and clinic, harnessing demonstrations, and a carriage exhibit.
Later in the evening, guests are invited to a fundraising dinner and live auction at Wendy O’Brien’s Trout Walk Farm in Aiken. The affair will get underway at 6:30 p.m. with a catered dinner. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on fabulous items during the live auction conducted by Paul Martin of Martin Auctioneers. Highlighted items include lessons with top driver Michael Freund in Florida, lessons with Chester Weber during Live Oak 2012, a dinner for six presented by Jack Wetzel at his newly restored 1780s log cabin in Aiken, SC, a week long vacation in a four bedroom Victorian Home on Block Island in Rhode Island, RI, a Picnic Supper for 20 people at Wendy O'Briens Trout Walk Farm, and a Ride on a Coach with the Four-in-Hand Club with lunch in the Audubon Nature Preserve. In addition to this year’s live auction, a silent auction will be held throughout the weekend with a wide array of items on which to bid.
On Sunday, February 19, the clinics with Velstra and Zantke will continue. The harnessing demonstrations and carriage exhibits will be on-going, and a pleasure drive open to all will start during lunch. A Driving Blind Cones activity with golf carts will be held in the afternoon. There will also be a clinic on how to drive a cones course later in the day.Finally, on Monday, February 20, the Salute to Driving weekend will wrap-up with a thrilling Combined Test Competition open to all. Drivers at the training, preliminary, and advanced levels will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in the areas of dressage and cones. During lunch, there will be a Coach Horn demonstration by Raymond Tuckwiller of West Virginia, and wonderful “Pas de Deux” dressage demonstration. Nancy Tomlinson will conduct a “Dressage By The Side” Clinic, providing a commentary on what the judges are seeing and looking for within each test, which will continue through the afternoon and wrap-up the day’s events.
The Salute to Driving weekend will be the can’t miss event of 2012. With a beautiful dinner, expert clinics, and an exciting competition, the Salute to Driving will surely be a weekend full of non-stop entertainment. For more information about the Salute to Driving event being held February 18-20, 2012 in Aiken, SC, please contact Beverley Lesher at 717-554-1241 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit their new website at www.salutetodriving.com.
Photo courtesy of Vicki Long