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OFF THE RECORD Riding Off Into The Sunset Together By Nelson S. Ebaugh Although horse-driven carriages no longer provide a practical mode of transportation, thanks to enthusiasts such as Bonnie and Lee McMurtry, the art of horse-drawn carriage driving is alive and well today. In fact, horse-drawn carriage racing is thriving as a sport. Bonnie McMurtry is an attorney with Andrews Kurth LLP, as is her husband, Lee McMurtry. They share a love for horseback riding. Each has been around horses since they were youngsters. In 2005, Bonnie bought a Haflinger pony for their daughters. But, their daughters did not express much of an interest in riding it. Fortunately, this was not a one trick pony; it had been trained to pull a carriage. Lee purchasd a small carriage for the pony to pull. Bonnie says she had never driven a horse-drawn carriage before, but she was eager to try. After a few attempts, she decided that she should take lessons to become proficient at “driving” the horse-drawn carriage. Bonnie began taking lessons from Tom O’Carroll, a carriage driver known worldwide for his driving skills. It was O’Carroll who introduced her to the sport of carriage driving. Since then, Bonnie has been participating in carriage driving competitions across Texas. Although she drives the carriage, Bonnie’s husband accompanies her in each event. Lee rides in the back of the carriage and serves as the navigator. As Bonnie puts it, Lee is the “official back seat driver.” Bonnie and Lee participate in combined driving events, which involves the following three competitions: (1) dressage, (2) cones, and (3) the marathon. In the marathon, Bonnie drives the carriage through an obstacle course that is usually about 12 kilometers long. Lee is there to make sure that Bonnie stays on course while she is driving the carriage through the obstacles. Because it is a timed race, the pony canters through much of the marathon, and going this fast can make the obstacles tricky. Lee makes sure that Bonnie is going in the right direction. This is crucial because if Bonnie were to lead the carriage through an obstacle in the wrong direction, they would be eliminated from the race. Besides navigating, Lee serves another important role in the marathon. Because Bonnie’s carriage is relatively light, Lee can assist with maneuvering the carriage by making strategic jumps on the back of it. By doing so, Lee bounces the carriage in a fashion that can help avoid impediments in their path. Although Lee is allowed to jump in the back to help guide the carriage, he cannot get on the ground to help guide the carriage. If Lee hits the ground, they incur penalty points. Bonnie and Lee say they really enjoy participating in these carriage driving events as a team. They intend to participate in their first out of state competition later this year, with the hope of qualifying for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Wish them luck! Nelson S. Ebaugh is a solo practitioner and a member of The Houston Lawyer editorial board. |
