2002 Dressage at Devon

A Drill Team in Miniature

In 1998 at the conclusion of Equine Affaire in West Springfield, Massachusetts, Sandy Wright decided it was time for the Miniature Horse breed to be represented to the rest of the equine community as the beautiful, useful, fun animal that it is hoping to forever quell that question, "but what can you do with them?" An idea was born and the Drill Team in Miniature was formed.

The Team consisted of eight pairs of horses and drivers. Since the beginning, four of those pairs have been replaced. There must be complete trust between horse and driver because of the complexity of moves and the close quarters required for those moves. To that end the team has continued to evolve and improve.

In 1999 a dream was realized and the drill Team In Miniature was accepted to perform in the Pfizer Fantasia at Equine Affaire in West Springfield and invited to perform again at Equine Affaire, Ohio in 2000. Again in 2001 the Team was accepted to perform in West Springfield. Each performance required changes in pattern, clothing and music.

Today the team consists of Sandra Wright, Captain and her gelding Candy Man, Peg Walczak and her gelding Boomer, Ellen Shaw with her mare Belle, Phil Shaw with his gelding Rusty, and Debbie Allis with her gelding Eddie. These five drivers are from the original team and are all from Massachusetts.

Mike White joined the team in 2000 and is now driving the mare Angel. Mike is joined on her long trip from NH to Mass. for practices by Louise Dyer, who joined the team last year and the gelding Pip-Squeak.

Rick Pierce and his gelding Raymond complete the team. In the past, Rick had led the Team in for performances with his pair, but is now a full-fledged member driving the patterns with the others. Our two alternates, and also our youth drivers, are Emily Potts and her gelding Ace and Travis Pierce with his gelding Rocky. Rick, Emily and Travis are from Massachusetts.

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