Event to Revive Horse and Carriage Heyday

The automobile retired the horse and carriage as basic American transportation early in the century. But that doesn’t mean people haven’t kept the skill alive for pleasure.

A total of 38 drivers and carriages--including two drawn by four horses--will demonstrate the obedience of their horses, their ability to maneuver through an obstacle course and their driving skills on a cross-country course of varying terrain during the 1990 California Classic Combined Driving Event next weekend in Rolling Hills Estates.

Ernie Howlett Park, at 25851 Hawthorne Blvd., and the Palos Verdes Landfill across from the park will be used for the presentation of carriages, obedience events and an obstacle course. The cross-country marathon will be run over city bridle and bicycle paths.

Spectator parking will be available at Howlett Park, with shuttles to the landfill. Admission is free.

Events begin at 9 a.m. Saturday when carriage horses will be taken through a precise set of movements demonstrating suppleness and obedience. The day is open-ended. The cross-country event will take place Sunday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with a carriage leaving Howlett Park every five minutes. The obstacle course will be tackled Oct. 1, starting at 9 a.m. One test requires carriages to pass between traffic cones without knocking off balls perched on top.

Drivers are coming from as far away as San Francisco, Nevada and Arizona. One entry is a carriage mule.