Pricilla Rose
driving Barney

I have been riding since the age of 7 when I got my first horse, Trinket. Trinket and I went everywhere in the Ohio back-country. We were also in the local 4-H club, where I first learned to drive a horse. I would harness Trinket and climb in the cart and drive for miles. Driving came naturally to Trinket, as she was half Hackney and half Welch. Trinket and I won many first place ribbons in the shows, both in halter classes and driving classes, as well as participating in many parades. We were also the mascots of my high school and I rode Trinket at every home football game as a “Warrior” chief. When I moved to California, I got a yearling Appaloosa named Barney. I raised and trained him to both ride and drive, just like Trinket. I also raised Miniature Horses and currently have three of them, (one of which has been in plays), named Milton, Seven and Zak. I also have a rare Sicilian Miniature Donkey, Andy, who was on TV last year and was in a movie. While too small to ride, all of them drive. Rounding out my farm are two Arabians, Boomer and my latest, a beautiful black Arabian mare, named Mariah, which I am training to ride and drive. I have driven in parades all over the country, including the Harvest Parade in Michigan in which I drove a pair of Halflingers, and the well-known Tucson Rodeo Parade in which I drove Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard in an antique buggy from the Tucson museum. I also collect carriages, buggies and sleighs, several of which are true antiques and over 100 years old. I have also competed in many endurances races, riding both the 25-mile and 50-mile divisions with Barney.

Barney is a 23-year-old Appaloosa that has done many things in his life. He is a wonderful and trustworthy trail and parade horse, but he also has a show career in which he has won many champion and grand champion awards in driving competitions. He has won everything from pleasure driving to obstacle trail driving and has even done driving dressage. He has also driven brides to their weddings. He has led the Descanso Drive and Ride Christmas Review parade since it began 6 years ago, pulling a sleigh, which is mounted on wheels. This parade, along with several others in which Barney has participated, such as the Norco Parade, is held at night. Barney has been in over 100 parades with his parade “career” spanning 19 years. He has also led the Easter Sunrise Services in past years. Besides driving, Barney was my endurance horse for many years, starting in the 25 mile division at 4 years of age, and then going on to compete in the 50 mile division. Most horses that compete in these events are Arabians, however, Barney was such a strong horse, he not only did well against them, he also won the 1st Appaloosa award at the Little Rock Endurance in the early 1990’s, completing 50 miles of rough hilly terrain. One of my favorite days driving Barney was on my birthday two years ago. It had snowed for several days, and when it finally stopped snowing, I hitched him to my antique Portland Cutter sleigh and drove in the beautiful fresh snow for several hours.