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Linda Syverson-Kerr of rural Holmen was grand champion in the Large Pony Open Division at the Columbus Carriage Classic held Aug. 22-24 at Firemen’s Park in Columbus, Wis. Doyle Gates of Mindoro was reserve champion in the same division.

Syverson-Kerr drove a 5-year-old Norwegian Fjord horse stallion, WW Reidar, owned by Randy and Kathy Johnson of Montrose, Minn. Gates drove his three-quarters Arabian gelding, Mr. Whiskers.

Both Syverson-Kerr and Gates will compete Sept. 5-7 at the Villa Louis Carriage Classic in Prairie du Chien, Wis. Other area competitors at the VLCC will be Shirley Gates of Mindoro driving her quarter horse gelding, Taffy’s Echo, in the Novice Driver Horse Division, and 11-year-old Abigail Luce of Ettrick, driving her 4-year-old miniature horse gelding, RC Anchor My Dream, in the Junior Division.

The Villa Louis Carriage Classic is the largest pleasure driving competition in the Midwest. It is held on the grounds of the Villa Louis historic site in Prairie du Chien. More than 130 different turnouts from throughout the Midwest will participate in the 2008 show.

According to the VLCC Web site, spectators will see elegantly-clothed drivers seated on beautiful horse-drawn vehicles being conveyed around the grounds by immaculately groomed horses in finely polished harnesses.

Singles, pairs, tandems, and four-in-hand turnouts will celebrate the history of the Artesian Stock Farm and take spectators back in time to the 1800s and early 1900s.

For more, log onto www.carriageclassic.com.