Debbie Banfield
Professional Profile

BACKGROUND |  TRAINER |  INSTRUCTOR/CLINICIAN | JUDGE | COMPETITOR

Debbie, born in Richmond, IN, has had a love for horses
since she was old enough to read a horse book....

After graduation, Debbie worked as an assistant service manager for a Ford Lincoln Mercury dealership, now having three horses of her own. On a visit to Friendship Farms, in Moline, IL, she met with the manager just to tour the facility. He offered her a job! At first she turned it down, but the more she thought about it, the more interesting it sounded. Debbie then made a radical decision to earn less money, start commuting 100 miles a day and sell all of her horses and equipment.

Debbie's first experience with driving horses was in 1977 working in the driving division at Friendship Farms for Mrs. William Hewitt. Mrs. Hewitt was a long time breeder of the Arabian horses. Debbie apprenticed with Manfred VonDePole, from France, for two years. Throughout that experience, horses were broke, all types of hitches were put together and Achenbach style of driving was utilized.

Maintenance of 35 antique carriages, numerous sets of harness, was a daily routine. Debbie would travel an average of 50,000 miles a year participating in Combined Driving Events, Pleasure Driving Shows, Social Drives, Parades, and demonstrations.

It was in the late 1970's early 80's that Debbie long listed for the World Pairs and attended several United States Equestrian Team clinics. Debbie's driving education comes from different European trainers originating from Switzerland, Holland, Germany and England. She also spent several months training with Leslie Kozsely learning the Hungarian style of driving, harnessing, and hitching.

In 1980 Debbie went to Windsor, England for three months. It was there she managed both entries of Hungarian four-in-hands competing in the first, World Championship for the USA, While she was in England, she met Prince Phillip and was given the opportunity to drive his four-in-hand of Cleveland Bays in Windsor Great Park. A year later, Debbie decided to get married and start a family at the age of 28.

Leslie Kozsely put Debbie and Gail Austin Ellman, the owner of the Gayla Driving Center,together in 1989. Debbie became very active creating the center by teaching drivers, training horses, and sharing her knowledge of the sport. She also was very involved volunteering for various committees of the American Driving Society, nominating committee, pleasure driving committee, serving as Central Regional Representative, and becoming a Registered Judge in Dressage, Combined Driving, and Pleasure Driving. She also organized and participated in functions including, Equitana USA (Louisville, KY), The Equine Affaire (Dayton & Columbus, OH), and The Hoosier Horse Fair (Indianapolis, IN).

TRAINER: Debbie's experience working with horses is exceptional. She has the experience with practically all breeds of horses and ponies. Her methods are solid and long lasting. The animals are quiet and happy in their work. The animals look forward to being worked and are handled with soft hands and a kind voice. The training is done with positive reinforcement to gain the animal's trust and respect and takes approximately three months. Debbie's philosophy is that the bonding between driver and animal is essential to the safety of the sport. She also believes that the animals should have proper muscle development, and be prepared mentally, for each stage of training. It is essential that the owner and the animal are right for each other and happy with the results. The animals have the best of care and are treated like a professional athlete.

INSTRUCTOR / CLINICIAN: Debbie has been teaching since 1980. Her teaching methods of the Achenbach & Hungarian style of driving are easy to understand and specialized for each person. Debbie was the driving clinician teaching at The Equine Affaire in both Dayton, and Columbus, OH, Equitana USA in Louisville, KY, and the Hoosier Horse Fair in Indianapolis, IN. She has also done clinics and seminars for groups around the country.

Debbie's students exemplify care and training of the animal, good sportsmanship, and overall safety and respect for the sport. Many of her students have been Champions in both Combined Driving and Pleasure Driving and have even won World Titles. She welcomes everyone from the beginner, to the social driver, to an ambitious competitor at the National Level! The knowledge of the basics are very important as well as understanding how every thing fits and functions together. Debbie's instruction includes all methods of hitching and driving with much attention to reinsmanship, turnout and detail. The use of horse psychology skills includes the ability to read an animal and listen to them. Debbie put emphasis on making you feel welcome and comfortable, as you become a part of the Gayla family.

JUDGE: Debbie is a Licensed Official with the American Driving Society and the United States America Equestrian. She is a Registered Judge in the categories of Combined Driving, Pleasure Driving, Dressage Driving and has been an official since 1992. Debbie's popularity as an official is due to extensive experience, compassion for people, and ability to organize both Combined Driving Events and Pleasure Driving Shows. Her time with her family, however, is very important so she limits her time away from home which makes the calendar fill up quickly.

Debbie Banfield driving Deja Vu Region, owned by Gail Austin Ellman at the 1999 Gladstone Selection Trial for Singles.

COMPETITOR: Debbie's competitive background has been limited mostly because her time has been devoted to help others, raise a family, and promoting the enjoyment of her employer. It was through the generosity of her employers and clients that she was able to get a taste of that wonderful competitive spirit that clutches us all. In the late 1970's Debbie short listed for the World Pairs driving the Arabians owned by the late Mrs Patricia Hewitt. During that quest she competed in single, pair and four-in-hand successfully at Combined Events and Pleasure Driving Shows around the country. Debbie was always in the Championship spotlight as well as the North American Championship competing the Friesian owned by Dr. Donald Jacobs in the prestigious world of Pleasure Driving. Debbie competed the Oldenburg pair, owned by Gail Austin Ellman, successfully and often unbeatable in Dressage. De Ja Vu Region, the Oldenburg gelding, and Debbie won the Championship at the Intermediate level and had hopes of campaigning for the World Single Championship.

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