Smart Cart at Oregon Gold

[Minxiesmom]

I am curious after hearing that someone used a Pacific Smart Cart in a pleasure class at Oregon Gold, and was used by a judge. Did anyone attending notice this and if so, what did you think about it? Could we be looking at a new trend starting? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[CAM]

I am not sure what a Pacific Smart Cart is but are you referring to that large cart used in the pleasure class?

Edited to add: Ok, I looked it up and that is the cart I saw. I hadn't seen one before until the show and it definitely stood out from the rest. I paid so much attention to the cart that I can't even recall how the horse moved during the class now.

:

 

[Minxiesmom]

So, was it too distracting? Or was it only distracting because it was out of the norm? Do you think we are going to see more in the future? People that are doing CDE's are buying these carts right and left. It would make the purchase easier to swallow if it could do double duty.

Diane in OR

 

[CAM]

It was certainly distracting because it was out of the norm and so much larger. I think it dwarfs the horse and my eye was drawn to the cart rather than the horse; probably because it was different. I kept thinking about the country pleasure class we had with 19 entries. It was so crowded with some people passing others and if the carts had been any larger it may have been an issue.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Here it is

This is probably what I shall end up with to show in- I am NOT a fan, I have to say, but Leia has convinced me that they are well balanced and I need a dual purpose vehicle- I cannot afford two, I already have a little easy entry and a "breaking" cart and 3/4 of another easy entry- I cannot really justify a lot more!!

:

 

[disneyhorse]

I think (I like to make predictions for the future) that you will start seeing more of these carts in Country Pleasure classes, particularly at AMHR shows. You can already "get away with" wooden wheels and such, and it's not as much about the horse's way of going as it is the overall impression and having the horse be a relaxed pleasurable drive. I don't see the carts going over well if you had a Pleasure or Park harness horse though, as the "point" of that class is a little different.

Andrea

 

[Shari]

It is on my list of ..to try carts... still looking for another one. hope to get to Happ's and maybe someone there will be willing to let me look it over. :bgrin I think it looks simple/clean, elegant and like it much better than the show carts.

 

[Margo_C-T]

I'll say that I am pretty darn SURE that you will be seeing more of this kind of cart in BOTH miniature breed registry show rings in Country Pleasure(and similar) classes...although in AMHA, it may come more slowly than in AMHR, IMO.It hasn't 'happened' yet, and there will surely be some less-knowledgeable, and/or more tuned-toward 'fine harness' judges who will resist accepting them--but it WILL happen, I believe!

Now that there is FINALLY some genuine knowledge of driving other than 'fine harness'(high flashy action, minimal harness, show-ring-suitable-only horses, for the most part) 'penetrating' the ranks of at least SOME miniature horse carded judges, it can,and should, happen! Actually, that cart(see Rabbit's pics of it) is NOT proportionately large for even AMHA horses of, say, 32" and up; it is actually well-proportioned if viewed in the 'wider' world of driving vehicles. It's just that people are totally used to the little,low-slung(though this is not so evident when the horse is also 'low-slung, as are miniatures!) 'fine harness' type carts...that very kind of cart has been in use for many years for horses-the design/style did NOT originate with miniature horses. Driving one with a 'big' horse means not seeing much but the horse's behind...one reason they are basically only suitable for the show ring.

Also, there are now, finally, several GOOD choices of this kind of versatile and sturdy cart being made for miniatures,and able to be 'mass-produced'.From the UK, the Bennington and the Bellcrown(the latter now being made also in the US),the Lignite, American-made, and from Canada, the Pacific Smart Cart--are the ones that come immediately to mind--there may even be others. IMO, none of them is 'perfect' in every aspect, but they are all a BIG step forward, in a cart that can be 'dressed up' for the ADS pleasure, OR breed, show ring(wood or patent dashes, even lamp holders, etc.), yet work well for the CDE ring. Being able to invest in ONE vehicle that would work, and well, for ALL of these venues will be a BIG plus, IMO! My Bennington has quite a high seat, looks less 'traditional' than even the US Bellcrown or the Smart Cart, so might be harder for miniature breed ring judges to accept over here; I think the Smart Cart and the Bellcrown will find 'quicker' acceptance--but I feel pretty darn sure that acceptance IS coming and will be widespread before you know it. I already showed successfully in a wooden road cart; if I were shopping again for a cart to go in the show ring with, I would have no problem with getting either a Bellcrown US or a Smart Cart, or perhaps a Lignite....realistically, RIGHT now, it will still probably be harder to place, other things being equal, in one of these kinds of carts--but I personally feel that will be changing, and maybe, pretty soon!!

Margo

 

[R Whiteman]

It is on my list of ..to try carts... still looking for another one. hope to get to Happ's and maybe someone there will be willing to let me look it over. :bgrin I think it looks simple/clean, elegant and like it much better than the show carts.

It is always fun to read about yourself on this forum. Yes, that was us with the Smart Cart. The horse Ron was driving is a 37.5 inch pinto mini. He is the horse in Ron's avatar. We use him for the show ring, pleasure driving and CDEs. He has been successful at all. We now are proud to own two smart carts and one was bought from Carl at the Oregon Gold. We agreed to try the cart in the show ring and actually got quite good response. In one post here it was questioned whether the size might be an issue in a large class. The cart is actually narrower than the more traditional Jerald. We would not consider using it in a Single Pleasure type class, but felt it was totally appropriate for the Country Classes. Buddy was hitched to it in every class he entered, except roadster, of course (And ladies, as we didn't own it yet). Apparhently the judges weren't too put off by it, as they used the horse several times. Shari, there will be dozens of Smart Carts at Happ's this year and any one of us will let you try it out. Rabbit, I am a traditionalist when it comes to carts, always liking the look of the wooden cart over the metal. But this cart is quite elegant in it's lines and we've used it behind horses, 33 to 40 inches, by making the adjustments. They've all pulled it happily, both in the show ring and out on the marathon course, or the big field where we work. The cart is absolutely silent, unlike some of the wooden carts that squeek and rattle, so we were pretty confident that we weren't going to hinder some other horse in the ring. I will continue to use my Jerald show cart in the AMHA show ring and also when driving my Single Pleasure horses, especially the little ones, but I think that options are nice and if you have a horse that is capable of doing the job and you want to draw the judges eye, well then "dare to be different".

Dorothy

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

I know I have asked a couple of carded R judges what they thought of this cart and they said it is totally appropriate for CP classes perhaps not at the National level just yet although they didnt rule it out.

For me it is the light weight adjustable ness of this cart as well as being able to use it at ADS CDE events that make it look pretty good.

I just don't have the money to purchase 1 cart at the moment let alone 2 so this may be the anwer for me :aktion033:

 

[hobbyhorse23]

In one post here it was questioned whether the size might be an issue in a large class. The cart is actually narrower than the more traditional Jerald.

That was going to be my point as well. I know that to those used to the low profile of a show cart anything taller and with a seat back may seem "clunky," but honestly an open wheeled Jerald seems very wide to me when I'm used to narrower CDE carts!

: I have nightmares about locking wheels in those big classes as I'm so used to driving dressage tests by myself.

:

I hope there can be a place for carts like this in our breed shows. I think it will help to remove some of that "cookie cutter" feeling and perhaps make new people feel less intimidated about trying to compete with something other than a show cart. I would love to see shows where Meadowbrooks, Pacifics, show carts, and yes, even the occasional easy entry all competed together in country pleasure with whatever dress the driver felt was complimentary and the focus on the horse's softness, training, and forward movement. Diversity is good!

I admit I don't personally have the guts to "dare to be different" at this point in time, but that's partially because in order for Different to get support and grow as a movement it has to be successful. Kody isn't the kind of horse to make that happen yet so I'd rather follow than lead in this case! Hehehe. Plus I've BEEN sticking out like a sore thumb in a bad way for a couple of years now and all I want at this point is to blend in.

:

Thank you so much to all those brave enough to try and good enough to succeed at it! I think the Pacifics are wonderful elegant carts.

Leia

P.S.- Fizz, I have a Bellcrown not a Pacific but they are both well-balanced carts.

:

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I'm sorry I thought they were basically the same cart???

It is the Bellcrown I shall get as they are made here- I could have head one, brand new for $900.00 last year but just was not convinced at that time- now I think I shall go for it.

First train your horse!!!!

 

[hobbyhorse23]

Nope Fizz, Bellcrown (made in England and the Carriage Machine Shop in the Eastern US) and the Pacific (made in Canada) are very different but probably about equal quality. I like them both! The Pacific's main claim to fame besides being a generally well-made and well-designed mini cart is its wonderful adjustability in every regard up to and including the suspension. Perfect for those who have multiple minis!

Leia

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Well then maybe I should be looking at getting one of these instead???

 

[shane]

hI,I just wanted to add that i absolutley love my bellcrown, its a great little cart, we are very limited in Ireland of carts, and we rely on a friend of mine to supply the majority of show carts to us drivers lol,i love the way the shafts are adustabe to fit even the narrowest of horses, and the shafts can also slip out, and the wheels come off to alow the cart to be carried in the boot of a jeep or estate car, i paid a thousand pounds sterling for mine,and it was one of the best investments ive made,

good luck to all of you finding whats right for your horse

 

[CAM]

It is always fun to read about yourself on this forum. Yes, that was us with the Smart Cart. The horse Ron was driving is a 37.5 inch pinto mini. He is the horse in Ron's avatar. We use him for the show ring, pleasure driving and CDEs. He has been successful at all. We now are proud to own two smart carts and one was bought from Carl at the Oregon Gold. We agreed to try the cart in the show ring and actually got quite good response. In one post here it was questioned whether the size might be an issue in a large class. The cart is actually narrower than the more traditional Jerald. We would not consider using it in a Single Pleasure type class, but felt it was totally appropriate for the Country Classes. Buddy was hitched to it in every class he entered, except roadster, of course (And ladies, as we didn't own it yet). Apparhently the judges weren't too put off by it, as they used the horse several times. Shari, there will be dozens of Smart Carts at Happ's this year and any one of us will let you try it out. Rabbit, I am a traditionalist when it comes to carts, always liking the look of the wooden cart over the metal. But this cart is quite elegant in it's lines and we've used it behind horses, 33 to 40 inches, by making the adjustments. They've all pulled it happily, both in the show ring and out on the marathon course, or the big field where we work. The cart is absolutely silent, unlike some of the wooden carts that squeek and rattle, so we were pretty confident that we weren't going to hinder some other horse in the ring. I will continue to use my Jerald show cart in the AMHA show ring and also when driving my Single Pleasure horses, especially the little ones, but I think that options are nice and if you have a horse that is capable of doing the job and you want to draw the judges eye, well then "dare to be different".

Dorothy

Hi Dorothy :saludando:

So you were the one that bought the cart from Carl. He had us sit in the cart to "try it out" and it was so comfortable and springy; a nice ride. I guess I assumed it was wider because, if that was you in the cart in the ring, you were small enough that it looked like three bums could easily fit side-by-side in the seat.