02/02/2026
The Tenth Biennial Carriage Association of America International Carriage Symposium has come to a close. Over the past few days we have been entertained by the tales of the traditions and rich history of Royal military horses by Lt. Col. Ian Vere Nicoll, MBE, former commander of the The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, as well as beautiful and fascinating sleighs with collector, and self-proclaimed Neotoma cinerea, Dan Bussey. We travelled back to the 18th century with Dr. Michaela Giebelhausen into the rich world of George Stubbs and his unique talent for capturing the horse and carriages in oil and pigment. The importance of conservation, and the permanent harm that can be done to priceless and ancient vehicles by well-meaning yet unthoughtful restorers, especially those who do not document their projects before destroying original finishes, striping, and the original hand of the designers and craftsmen, was hit home by carriage conservator Brian Howard. The only place left where motorized transport has not taken hold and the horse still reigns supreme is idyllic Mackinac Island, Michigan. Bob Tagatz, resident historian of Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel, entertained us with the history of the Island, the hotel, and how the Island has thrived while being stuck firmly in the 19th century.
On Saturday we were immersed into a rarified world that is strictly off limits to the public eye: behind the scenes at the Royal Stables of the House of Orange-Nassau. Photographers and equestrians Arthur and Joyce Van der Vlies, by kind permission of the Crown Equerry to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, took Symposium attendees via intimate photos into the carriage processions for Prinsjesdag, the State Opening of the Dutch Parliament, and the Dutch Royal Stables. Following our immersion into Dutch splendor, we were taken to Portugal by Rita Dargent. Rita is the passionate Director of The Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum), which occupies part of the former Royal picadero (riding school) of the Royal Palace in the waterfront district of Lisbon of Belem. The museum was founded in 1905 by the last Queen of Portugal, Queen Amélia d'Orléans e Bragança, and its success has made it the most visited museum in the country. The museum houses its collection in a new state-of-the-art museum designed and dedicated to the preservation of the museum’s priceless collection of truly ancient and important carriages and appointments.
Author Elizabeth Letts joined us via zoom to introduce us to the incredible story of the daring US mission to rescue the Lipizzaner horses at the close of the second world war. Her newest book, 'The Perfect Horse', tells this compelling story through Elizabeth's exhaustive research and first hand accounts of the men who worked miracles and gave their own lives to save these horses from near certain extinction. The lecture room rang with the ti**le of bells as a 'show and tell' of rare and interesting artifacts concluded our main program on Saturday with Dan Bussey bringing unique and interesting pieces from his personal collection of sleigh appointments and accessories. Bells, mitts, robes, foot warmers, plumes, and other rare and exotic items from Dan's collection were on hand for Symposium attendees to ring, feel, and enjoy.
For those who were lucky enough to be able to accept the invitation, Symposium attendees on Sunday were treated to a visit to the private collection of carriages, appointments, tools and artifacts passionately curated over decades by CAA Members Jack and Marge Day. Richard Nicoll was on hand to discuss some of Jack and Marge’s unique and interesting whips, and David Remley serenaded us with the sounds of the road with antique horns from the collection.
The CAA must extend its sincere thanks to the panel of wonderful speakers who accepted the Symposium committee's invitations to join us to share their knowledge. Their passion, expertise, and dedication to the preservation of the history we all hold so dear was evident in each presentation. Arthur and Joyce Van der Vlies were on hand to photograph the weekend’s events, and we are so grateful for their time and sharing with us their beautiful photographs. We must also thank our kind sponsors, silent auction donors, and live auction donors who made this Tenth symposium possible, as well of those who braved the aftermath of a winter storm to join us this year in Washington. And last but not least, to Jack and Marge Day not only for opening their home and carriage house to the Symposium attendees, but for their warm and inviting hospitality.
As we look forward to the Eleventh (!) International Carriage Symposium in 2028, we hope that you will enjoy the full write up of the weekend’s events in the upcoming March issue of The Carriage Journal, as well as the recordings of the Symposium presentations which will be made available to CAA members in the coming months.
