Driving Carts

Kitty · Jul 30, 2007

We are new to driving but not new to miniatures. Kids both want to drive next year and we have the horses to do it. One is over and one is under.

My question is what is hot and what is not. Looked at Jeralds. $2500.00 up for combo, pleasure and roadster cart. Have seen used on here lately for $1500.00. Should we buy it? Grabers is $950.00 new. Hmmm

What do you recommend and why?

ClickMini · Jul 30, 2007

I have both the Graber and the Jerald. The Jerald is of FAR better quality. The paint on the metal parts of my Graber was very chipped and nasty in short order. The seat is not as nice. The good side of the Graber is that it is extremely light.

I can't say enough about my beautiful Jerald. I love everything about it. There really is no comparison between the two on quality.

If a person could afford the Jerald, that is definitely the way I would go.

Mnmini · Jul 30, 2007

Kitty said:
We are new to driving but not new to miniatures. Kids both want to drive next year and we have the horses to do it. One is over and one is under.

My question is what is hot and what is not. Looked at Jeralds. $2500.00 up for combo, pleasure and roadster cart. Have seen used on here lately for $1500.00. Should we buy it? Grabers is $950.00 new. Hmmm

What do you recommend and why?

I bought a Graber pleasure cart (not closed wheel) nearly 4 years ago. Wasn't sure if I would like just going around in circles or not, plus I wasn't seeing ANY used Jeralds for sale, so the Graber was the most reasonable cart, plus had a dealer that was comparatively close in distance to facilitate the sale...also a bonus. If you do a lot of driving, having someone to help "fit" the cart and harness for the first time, or do the assembly on the cart may not be a big deal, but if that isn't what you're comfortable with, having either a knowledgeable dealer or trainer to do the assembly and fitting is a big plus. I have hauled the Graber plenty..no chips. Keep it bagged, and bought some small pipe insulation, which I put on the seat rail when stored/shipping, which obviously helps. Seat cushion is removable, so I always keep that stored with my harness, versus attached to the cart. The Graber is a narrower seat/basket than the Jerald, and is lighter in weight. Depending on the horse, sometimes every pound counts, lol! I would say the "ride" is comparable, as neither has any "true" suspension to speak of. Haven't used the Graber cart, or the pretty leather show harness in over a year, but can't bring myself to sell yet. Maybe someday I'll need/want to start another driver, and want to go around and around

Ironically, spent more $$ on a metal marathon cart and synthetic harness than I had invested in my show stuff. Welcome to the world of driving!

Sanny · Jul 30, 2007

We have one Graber, three Jerald carts and one Jerald Viceroy.

The Graber is very nice and I use it all the time at home but as far as choices when I show I choose the Jerald carts and amongst those my favorite by far is a beautiful one that has polished wooden shafts and has the nicer, bigger and softer seat that is covered in black velvet. Most of the carts come with a plainer, smaller seat that is covered with black suede and is just plain looking and not as comfy.

Look for used, if you can. They hold their value and hold up wonderfully. Two of ours were new that we ordered and two we bought used. The two we ordered are closed wheel and the other wasn't but we had rails added to make it convertable for roadster.

hobbyhorse23 · Jul 31, 2007

Mnmini said:
I would say the "ride" is comparable, as neither has any "true" suspension to speak of.

Actually, I believe both brands of cart have leaf springs under the seat which are a very traditional type of suspension. I was surprised by how comfortable the ride was cross-country, it was actually better for my light weight than the stiff torsion axles on my first cart. I bought a Graber because Jeralds were too expensive for the two or three AMHR shows I do a year. It has taken some paint damage already but I haven't been padding it as I've since learned I should. I bet once I start doing that it will hold up better.

The Jeralds are definitely the Rolls Royce of show carts, but my Graber looks quite fine in the ring and I've always been more of a Chevy girl anyway!

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