Carriage Classic

media release: What’s it like to witness 100+ bespoke horse-drawn carriages careening through obstacle courses on the grounds of a historic mansion? See for yourself at the 42nd Annual Villa Louis Carriage Classic, where teams from across the country will jockey for first place in the Midwest’s most elegant and lavishly appointed equine sport driving event. Watch as riders in hats and gloves maneuver through dressage and obstacle competitions, take part in a picnic competition and enjoy the dog class show, where drivers steer carriages accompanied by their faithful pets (don’t worry—dogs are strictly prohibited from taking the reins). Along the way you’ll learn about the origins of the Carriage Classic, tour the Villa Louis mansion and discover the history of its opulent owners, the Dousman family. The event occurs at Sept. 8-10, 8 AM-4PM, at Villa Louis, a Wisconsin Historical Society site in Prairie du Chien.