Villa Louis Carriage Classic: An Elegant Equine Festival, September 8 & 9, 2007

A natty driver and his steed run
through the cross country course.
(Click on the image for a larger view.)

The Villa Louis Carriage Classic, held annually the weekend after Labor Day, recalls a brief chapter in the history of Villa Louis, which H. Louis Dousman established in 1884 as the Artesian Stock Farm. Dousman, in characteristic Victorian form, embraced the lifestyle of a country gentleman and began raising fine-blooded Standardbred trotting horses on the farm, developing one of the finest stables in the Midwest. Nearby he built a quarter-mile racetrack paved with crushed cork to enable racing even in wet weather.

This year, on September 8 & 9, carriage drivers, their stable hands and groomsmen will compete in a variety of classes, including obstacle courses and a cross-country event featuring simulated hazards ranging from open water to corkscrew turns — plus other events reminiscent of the Villa's own Victorian heyday. At the end of the event, the top drivers and teams take home honors for best reinsman (driver), best working horse (animal's ability to perform) and best turnout (overall appearance of the horse, driver, and carriage). The combination of elegantly restored carriages, immaculately groomed horses and drivers outfitted in their finest attire make this annual late summer classic an event not to be missed. And don't forget to bring the camera!

The restored Villa Louis mansion will be open for house tours both days of the event, and a variety of food vendors will be on hand to serve up tasty fare to hungry visitors. For complete details on admission, hours, a map, distances from various cities, and other information, see our visitor information page. For a complete rundown of competitors, competition classes, divisions, registration details and other information, visit the home page of Villa Louis Carriage Classic, Inc., which sponsors the annual event.