| 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....
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BACKGROUND:
In the 1960's, Debbie's parents moved to Kewanee,
Illinois to start the family business, A-Tek
Corporation. Across the street from their new
home she noticed horses grazing. With much excitement
she would be over there everyday just to be
near the horses and help the elderly man care
for them. It was during high school that her
love for animals steered her towards the hopes
of being a Veterinarian. The required classes
inspired her to join the FFA (Future Farmers
of America) Debbie was the first girl to participate
in this organization at her school. During her
freshman year in High school, on the budget
of a waitress, she purchased her first horse,
for just $25.00. At a stable on the other side
of town, Debbie would care for her horse daily
before and after school. Stable visitors often-commented
that time that Rhumba, Debbie's Arabian horse,
had the shiniest coat and the cleanest stall.
Debbie's early equestrian accomplishments were
having fun trail riding with the local club,
showing in 4-H Western Pleasure and halter classes,
and even doing some barrel racing! Ironically
envisioned by her classmates, printed in her
1971 senior year book, was that Debbie would
“probably live on a horse farm in Kentucky
some day.” Debbie knew horses would always
be a part of her life.
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| 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. |
|
Debbie
Adams Banfield driving Mrs. Patricia Hewitt's
pair of Arabians at Gladstone. |
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).
|
Debbie
with President's Trophy awarded by
Natasha Griggs, ADS President. |
Debbie
also contributes time to the local schools and 4-H
groups educating the youth about carriage driving.
Another ambition was to promote more driving events:
The Kentucky Gayla Combined Driving Event ran at
the Kentucky Horse Park for eight years and bloomed
into a full 3-day Advanced Premier Event. The Kentucky
Gayla Carriage Classic began in 1998 at the Gayla
Driving Center. This three day pleasure show features
64 classes and 10 different divisions. Starting
in 2003 both Combined Driving and Pleasure Driving
will be well represented at the Gayla Driving Center.
It was because of Debbie's enthusiasm and dedication
to the Sport of Driving that she was awarded the
Presidential Trophy in 2001 by the President of
the American Driving Society. |
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.
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|
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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