Last year, I spent another summer in Newport, Rhode Island and enjoyed a new adventure. Duby and I attended the “Golden Age of Coaching” driving exhibition of authentic 19th century coaches on the grounds in front of the Elms Mansion. The matched horses are magnificent and highly trained, the coaches opulent and the expert drivers are skilled at controlling their team of four horses using the “4 in one hand” reins technique.
All seating is outside, with the driver, known as a “whip,” sitting in a slightly elevated right front seat, and the whip’s wife or female relative taking up the “box seat” on the left.
The colorful and historic coaches parade through the streets of Newport and the grounds of the Newport Mansions, drawing huge audiences, during the “Weekend of Coaching”.
The tradition of coaching grew out of the 18th and 19th century mail runs in England, which later made their way across the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S. Eventually, the horse-drawn mail coaches were replaced by 
railroads, but nostalgia led to the development of coaching as a sport.
The New York Coaching Club, formed in the latter part of the 19th century, became part of the social fabric summers in Newport. The Wetmores, the Bells, the Vanderbilts and the Belmonts were all active members, bringing their coaches together to go to the races, polo games and the Casino.
This event, hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County, is held every three years.
Wow!! This sounds like so much fun! Did you dress in a costume of the times? Thank you so much for sharing this adventure. Your writings are so interesting and informative in the photos or an extra bonus. I always enjoy these writings and learn something new.
Fascinating event! I’d never heard of coaching, but it sounds like fun. Did you get to ride or it it a spectator event? Always good to hear from you. We’re enjoying “false spring “ and loving it.
Bev Williams’ husband, Doug, was trained and loves the set up and process of driving a coach. Locally, we have a yearly week of ‘Mule Days.” During the parade, four-mule teams pull gorgeous coaches while draped in exquisite silver harnesses. We go every year. This year the parade is on March 7. A Tennessee experience similar to your “Golden Age of Coaching.”
Looks like fun!
Thank you Susan for the excellent writing and photos. This brought back fond memories of seeing horse-drawn wagon competitions at the Minnesota State Fair. Although the wagons were much smaller than the full-on stage coaches you picture, they were immaculate show pieces. All of the couples driving the wagons were in full and fancy period costume. And the horses in four-horse teams were real specimens: They projected a sense that they knew they were on show and were enjoying every moment of it: in perfect step with each other and responding precisely to every command received through the reins during a series of intricate maneuvers.
In this digital and AI age of rapid obsolescence, it is so refreshing to see how things used to be done preserved and celebrated: boats powered by wind; transportation provided by horses; not because they are the fastest, most powerful, or efficient, but just because they are wonderful. Thanks for reminding us.