The High Country Driving Club represents driving enthusiasts ranging from Lethbridge, 120 miles south of Calgary, Alberta, to Bowden, 70 miles north. This area has a long history of horse sports in general, and driving horses in particular: witness the world famous chuckwagon races! Following the British tradition, early pioneers played polo and showed jumpers, hunters, and hacks. The horse shows included Hackney horses and ponies; Welsh ponies and cobs, as well as show Shetlands and Fine Harness horses, Standardbreds, and Arabs, to say nothing of the draft driving classes at all agricultural horse shows. To some extent, the driving horses began to separate into breed shows some time in the 60's and 70's; however, all-breed pleasure class driving clubs began to spring up in the communities around Calgary and still provide for fun rallies by carriage and cutter.

The commencement of combined driving competitions began in Alberta about fifteen years ago. In the Calgary area, a movement to participate in the new sport began in the early 1990's and to upgrade the skills of newcomers to driving who had become fascinated with harness horses and carriages. In 1992, the High Country Driving Club was formed with Jan Heseldin as president. Her husband, Miles Heseldin was president of the North American Friesian Association and enthused about driving. In 1993, training C.D.E.'s were run with the help of those who had competed elsewhere. Some members made the trip to the World Pairs in Gladstone, N.J. in the fall of 1993. It was decided that fall that the best way to introduce the sport in the Calgary area was to go for a first-class C.D.E. to get people interested and to provide a target for drivers to upgrade their skills. In 1994 the first High Country International C.D.E. was held with Jack Pemberton and Holly Pulsifer as the senior officials.

Interest in the Club escalated surprisingly quickly, now reaching more than 130 members! Clinics by well-known drivers and judges were filled immediately. This new interest stemmed not only from new drivers but also from experienced drivers who had tired of the show ring and/or wanted to test their skills beyond fun rallies. In 1995 an even more successful C.D.E. was held. The spectator and media interest from these two events grew substantially and the difficult decision was made to move the 1996 C.D.E. and future International C.D.E.'s adjacent to the Calgary Polo Club grounds where better spectator and competition facilities could be constructed. Bill Long, world class driver and clinician, designed a new marathon course up to advanced level.

Further construction in 1997 provided our own stabling facilities and shower rooms which proved to be very popular after a cold marathon day. A dressage & cones driving field was also constructed and planted and was ready that year for use.

1997 was also the year that the High Country Driving Club expanded its horizons and held its first Calgary Carriage Showcase Pleasure Driving Competion August 16 and 17. Our vision of the competion was not realized - torrential record rains the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, August 16, flooded our driving facility and the decision was made to move to Swendson's arena and hold the entire competition on the Sunday alternating between the huge arena and the outside ring.

1999 was a CET selection trial for Advanced Singles and sponsorship was arranged for trailering Advanced competitors (including 2 pairs) from Quebec and Ontario to join the competitors at all levels from Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, California, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. A full 5-phase marathon was adjudicated by our powerhouse of officials - President, Enno Georg, Germany; Jack Pemberton, Ontario; Dierdre Pirie, Massachusetts; Jane Lyndon, Ontario; Gail Jones, Alberta; TD, Ed Young, New York.

The 1999 Showcase was a huge success with CEF Coach and Licensed Judge, Morris Kerr, officiating the week prior to his competing as an advanced combined driver.

I suppose it must be expected that into life a little rain must fall - and it did - literally in torrents at CDE 2000. After one of the driest years on record and a heat wave which didn't stop the fantastic Showcase weekend, the rains came in time to ruin Dressage Day. Deciding to move dressage to Monday cones day resulted in no rest for our officials who tirelessly revised the marathon course for safety once the downpour stopped. To no avail - at 3:00 am the rains came in earnest and marathon day was spent pulling trialers out of our infamous Alberta clay.

Always eager to promote the sport of driving, Club members have gladly accepted a number of invitations to participate in and give driving demonstrations at such events as the Grand Opening and Dedication of the Bar U Ranch near Longview, Alberta, as a Canadian National Historical Site. In 1997, the High Country Driving Club was invited to Calgary's Heritage Park for a driving demonstration on the Alberta Heritage Day long weekend. The performance by our members has resulted in a standing invitation for every year.

One function that the Club eagerly participates in yearly is the NoKaOi Ranch Foundation annual Childrens' Christmas Party. Members turn out in full force to provide carriage rides for some 1000 underprivileged children. The High Country International C.D.E. is approved by Equine Canada, Drive Canada , and the American Driving Society.