| I
am Gail Austin-Ellman. I have no idea when
I was on a horse for the first time. But
I think I was quite young. At any rate,
I first recall the fun I had with a young
friend who had a pony named Black Beauty.
We took turns riding her; but at times we
would put on roller skates and one of us
would ride Beauty while the other girl held
Beauty's tail so that we could roll on our
skates behind Beauty as she ran down the
road. Now I know why my Mother's hair turned
gray so soon. I must have been about 10
or 11 years old. |
| I
begged my parents for my own horse which
they got for me when I was 13 years. Cornel
was a lovely old horse from a local riding
school. I loved him and I loved riding
trails. I learned so much about owning
a horse which I had to take care of myself.
He was boarded in an old chicken coop
until we could get a barn built on the
property.
I
owned him for 3 glorious years. I had
some friends to ride with and we took
breakfast rides. We would get up at 5:00
AM; meet, carry eggs in a saddle bag to
a wooded site, fry them and get back home
before the flies started biting too bad.
When
I turned 16 I begged for a flashier horse
but this time I was given a car. Not the
same; I longed for those trail rides and
promised myself that I would again have
another horse someday.
I took about a 15 year sabbatical. In
that time I graduated from high school,
married George, Birthed 2 children, adopted
1, raised the 3 children till the last
one started school. |
| In
1975 I purchased a fine Arab/Quarter horse
cross. Six months later I rode her with
the Bicentennial Wagon Train that was slowly
moving its way across America, from CA to
Valley Forge PA. It hoped to arrive in time
for the July 4th celebrations in 1976. I
rode with the train for 2 weeks and we covered
300 miles. It was an awesome trip. Nobody
to take care of except the horse and myself.
My bed was a tent and I lived off the wagon
train. I bought all my meals from them and
bought grain and hay for my horse Saudie.
The Wagon Master shouted "Wagons H-O"
promptly at 8:00 AM and all 300 horses,
some pulling Conestoga type wagons, some
just carrying riders, and some 200 people
moved out for the next leg of our journey.
We traveled everyday, rain or shine. Every
night we circled |
|
Gail
riding her favorite endurance horse. |
| the
wagons and we were then obliged to be open
to the public till dark. Many people came
to see the horses and wagons. I thought
it was a wonderful historic experience and
I was thrilled to be a part of this event. |
| In
1980, I started riding Competitive Trail
rides. Another new learning experience.
I rode a couple of the rides with old Saudie
until I bought a full Arabian who allowed
me to be in the ribbons for most of the
rides I went on. My friends called me 'iron
britches." I rode these rides for about
4 years. It was hard work riding sometimes
25 miles but more often 35,60 or 99 miles.
A distance of 5 miles was usually covered
in one hour depending on the terrain. Some
rides were for one day. Some rides lasted
2 or 3 days. It could be grueling. I was
usually sore and stiff afterwards. But if
I could get the horse through the distance
with no ill effects I felt a real accomplishment.
Dandy was indeed a " dandy' horse. |
| During
this time I continued raising my 3 children
but eventually divorced my husband George
of 22 years in 1984. This was a very traumatic
time for the children and me. A year later
I moved to my first large farm in Batavia,
OH. It was 40 acres. For the first time
I hired a full time helper to manage 7 horses
plus the additional acreage. A name was
now given to the farm. This name reflected
a name given
to me after I took a Middle Eastern Dance
course (Belly Dance) back in the middle
'70's. Upon completion of the class we were
each given a dance name. Mine was Gayla.
At the time I was in Batavia I was raising
Arabians so the name Gayla Arabians fit
very well. |
| I
had to make a change in management on the
farm in 1988 so that is when I hired Dana
and Debbie Banfield. We were introduced
via a mutual friend. My farm really started
to blossom after that. Debbie took over
managing the horses and Dana managed the
machinery and the grounds. They have been
the perfect pair for me. Their knowledge
is endless. Dana has had extensive experience
learning about carriages and mechanics though
reading and verbal communication. Debbie
also learned much about proper driving attire
and horsemanship through reading and competing
through a previous farm in IL. Soon the
name Gayla Arabians was changed to Gayla
Driving Center. Over the years we have tried
to make the farm a self contained and full
service enterprise. |
 |
Gail
driving the Arabian, Overlook Assault,
with Debbie at the
Carriage Association Conference. |
| In
1994 we realized we were bursting at our
seams. The 40 acres was not big enough for
us. Though the Batavia property was beautiful,
it did not have enough space. We were quite
limited and it was impossible to hold a
horse show there. Through a client who lived
in Georgetown, KY, I found a 210 acre farm
that was just perfect. It was also right
next door to our client. The terrain is
perfect for driving and is the existing
farm. We have provided a place for trail
rides/drives, picnics, hay rides, community
parties, clinics and weddings. |
 |
Presently
we have two shows. One in the Spring is
the Gayla Bluegrass Combined Driving Event
and one in the Fall is the KY. Gayla Carriage
Classic Horse Show.
We
train horses to pull carriages and teach
the drivers how to drive. Whether you
are a beginner or an experienced driver
working toward an FEI level show, you
can find help here. We teach according
to the rules laid out by the American
Driving Society. |
Gail
driving Breimar and Sulvar, the foundation
of the Driving Center. |
| In
2001 I also purchased a neighboring farm
of 350 acres next door. This now provides
us with more trail space but I am also farming.
We grow hay and lease pasture for cattle.
The Center is the sales rep. for the Pacific
Carriage Co. in Canada and we also sell
used carriages on consignment along with
other new carriages, Orbit Cones, and Zilco
Harness. I also provide a Bed and Breakfast
service. Is there more? Yes, After 17 years
of living a single life, I was introduced
to a terrific man through a mutual friend.
That's right; I was married on June 23rd,
2001 to Charles Ellman. |
