In Memory of Gloria Austin
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Gloria Austin’s emergence into the horse world was initially as a riding enthusiast, which prompted her to study the horse in depth. Driven by an intense intellectual curiosity, she took up driving horses and collecting horse drawn vehicles. Her fervent need to share both her love and knowledge of the equestrian world led to the building of the Austin Carriage Collection in the mid-eighties and was on display at the Grand Oaks Resort and Museum until 2011. Ms. Austin competed at all levels in traditional carriage driver training. She was best known as one of the world’s premier four-in-hand and coaching drivers. Gloria was a lifetime member of The Carriage Association of America, a founding member of the Four-in- Hand Club and held memberships in the World Coaching Club, the Philadelphia Four in Hand Club, European Private Driving Club, and British Driving Society. Her love of travel and carriages allowed her to drive in fourteen countries on four continents with eighteen different horse breeds. Her mission was to “educate, celebrate and preserve the history of the horse and its role in shaping world civilizations and changing lives.”
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