Robin Groves will teach a Carolina Carriage Club clinic April 9 and 10. Carriage driving will be the main topic at Sherwin Lindsey’s Latigo Farm in Campobello, but Groves, avoiding the Vermont winter and “mud” season as well as competing in several FEI level Combined Driving Competitions, is qualified to instruct in just about every ridden discipline, including Western.

With Thor’s Toy Truck, a Connemara Thoroughbred cross, Groves competed in the 2008 World Singles Championships in Poland and in 2010 in Italy in addition to the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky and also won International Single Horse Championship at the Live Oak CDE in March 2010.

Before many years of riding and driving long distance competitions, Groves evented and hunted the Connemara cross that she raised as well as studying dressage with former Dutch Olympic team member H.L. van Schaik.

Groves’ interest in driving was born when her father bought a spring wagon and some ancient harness at a cocktail party. She just had to teach her Connemara to drive and was “hooked.”

In addition to clinics and competitions, R & W Horsedrawn Services, a company she and her husband, Wilson, operate in Brownsville, Vt., keeps her busy.

Wilson, also a trainer and teacher, usually stays home while Robin does the travelling. This year he has been enjoying the southern climate, competing at preliminary and intermediate levels with the Morgan Stallion, Derawnda Ricardo.

Auditors are welcome to attend the clinic. Contact Barbara Madill at 828-894-2437 or madill@windstream.net for directions and details.